Prison Time For Pair Involved In Morris Co. Car Chase: Prosecutor

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - Two men were sentenced for their part in a June 13, 2019 car chase according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Wanya McHenry, age 19, with a last known address in Newark, was sentenced by Judge David H. Ironson to four years in New Jersey State Prison with 18 months parole ineligibility. cHenry entered guilty pleas in May to second degree use of a juvenile in theft of automobiles and third degree receiving stolen property, authorities said.

Alakir Wardlaw, age 20, with a last known address in Orange, was sentenced by Ironson to five years in New Jersey State Prison with 42 months parole ineligibility. Wardlaw had entered guilty pleas in April to second degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second degree employing a juvenile in theft of automobiles, second degree eluding, third degree theft of a motor vehicle, and third degree resisting arrest, authorities said.

The charges stemmed from an attempted car theft that occurred in Denville, in June of 2019. While responding to a report of a stolen Dodge Durango at approximately 1:38 a.m.,
Denville Police encountered two vehicles, including the stolen Dodge Durango and a Toyota
Highlander, police said. Further investigation revealed that the Toyota Highlander was previously reported stolen out of Montclair and when police attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the Dodge Durango, the Toyota Highlander impeded the stop and both vehicles fled from police, authorities said.

The Dodge Durango ultimately crashed into a Denville Police Department patrol vehicle and the driver and passenger fled on foot. The driver of the stolen Dodge Durango was identified as Wardlaw; the passenger of the vehicle was identified as a juvenile male, police said.

A search of the stolen Dodge Durango revealed a defaced handgun, police said.

Shortly after the chase, police located the stolen Toyota Highlander abandoned a short distance away. The driver of the Highlander was identified as Wanya McHenry, police said.

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