Driver In Rt. 80 Pursuit Hit Cop, Had Knife And B.B. Gun: Police

One driver was been taken into custody after a police pursuit on Route 80 across part of northern New Jersey Monday morning, New Jersey State Police announced.

The incident began around 8:20 a.m. in Netcong when police responded to a reported disturbance at the Netcong Heights Apartments, Chief Jim Blesson said.

Cpl. Joe Matits responded to the area and was met by Ttayhanth Hyatt, who was sitting in his vehicle with the door open, Blesson said.

Hyatt, 24, of Randolph, was visiting a friend in Netcong, Blesson said, and was identified as being involved in the disturbance at the complex.

Hyatt then put his car in reverse, striking Matits with the driver’s side of the vehicle knocking him to the ground and injuring his left knee, Blesson said.

Matits then radioed Roxbury Township Police a description of the 1999 green Honda Civic being driven by Hyatt and a “BOLO” or Be On Look Out was issued from the Netcong Police Department, Sgt. Jeffrey Flynn of the New Jersey State Police said.

That vehicle was described as heading westbound on Route 80 and was subsequently chased by troopers from the Netcong Barracks. The vehicle did not stop “for several miles,” Flynn said.

Troopers spotted the vehicle near mile-marker 24.3 on westbound Route 80, Flynn said.

Troopers began pursuit of the vehicle, which would repeatedly slow down and eventually stop, Flynn said. When officers would approach the vehicle, the driver would then leave the scene and begin the pursuit again, Flynn said.

“Stop sticks” were deployed at mile-marker 6.6 which the driver rolled over, causing his tires to deflate and bringing the vehicle to a stop on the right shoulder of the roadway. Hyatt was found with a carving knife and b.b.-style handgun, Blesson said.

Hyatt was charged with eluding and given $10,000 bail with no 10-percent option.

He was then turned over to Netcong Borough Police Department where he was charged with criminal mischief, assault, assault by auto, two counts of possession of a weapon (knife and firearm), two counts of a weapon for unlawful purpose, eluding, and other motor vehicle violations.

His bail was set at $100,000 by Judge Brian Levine of Netcong Borough.

Pictured: Traffic backed up on Route 80 Monday morning as a result of a police-involved car chase. User submitted photo.