Knife-Wielding​ Man Leads Police On Vehicle Chase Across 3 Mercer Co. Towns

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A wanted man wielding a knife led police on a three-township car chase and crashed his vehicle before being taken into custody, Ewing police said.

On Aug. 1, Ewing Police officer received a wanted persons alert through the patrol vehicle's license plate reader system. Around 8:44 a.m., Officer Daniel Lookner conducted a traffic stop at the Wawa on 1300 Silvia Street, on the vehicle identified by the alert, police said.

Minutes after the initial contact, the driver, identified as Victor A. Martin, 62, of Stratford, NJ, brandished a large kitchen knife, police said.

Officers gave multiple commands for Martin to drop the weapon and exit the vehicle, but he refused to comply, and instead fled the scene, striking a police vehicle in the process, authorities said.

A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued through Ewing, Trenton, and Hamilton, where Martin ultimately crashed on a dead-end street. Officers were able to take Martin into custody without further incident.

Martin is facing multiple charges, including eluding police, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, weapons offenses, hindering apprehension, and resisting arrest.

No injuries to officers or civilians were reported during the pursuit.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Ewing Police Department.

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