2 Arrested On Drug, Gun Charges After Red Bank Car Chase: Police

RED BANK, NJ — Two men from Tinton Falls are charged with drug and gun offenses after they engaged Red Bank police in a high-speed car and then foot chase late Monday night on River Road, the car stopping only after an accident, police said.

The incident involved several police officers who assisted in the arrests, said Capt. Michael Frazee in a report.

"I’m very proud of all the officers involved. It was a team effort for sure," said Frazee, the next chief of the department.

Here's how police described the events that led to the arrests:

At about about 11:19 p.m. Monday, Patrolman Luke Cahill was on patrol on the east side of town and observed what police said was a "suspicious vehicle" - a 2023 Hyundai Elantra - stopped at the intersection of Prospect Avenue and River Road. The vehicle was missing its front bumper and license plate and its headlights were turned off, police said.

The Police Department has assigned extra patrols in the area as a deterrent to burglaries and high-end motor vehicle thefts, Frazee said.

Cahill turned around as the vehicle pulled away, making a left turn onto River Road westbound, police said.

Cahill then activated his emergency lights and siren, after which the vehicle began to flee the area recklessly at a high rate of speed, police said. The vehicle was observed improperly passing vehicles, while also crossing into oncoming traffic, police said.

Cahill began following the vehicle from a distance, while informing headquarters and other patrol officers of the incident.

The vehicle continued west, driving recklessly west on West Front Street and made a right turn onto North Bridge Avenue, police said.

During that time, Patrolman Shane Dengel, who was in the area, observed the vehicle make the right onto North Bridge Avenue as it continued northbound at a high rate of speed, according to the report.

By the time Dengel pulled out into traffic, the suspect vehicle was well ahead of him. Dengel attempted to close the gap and in doing so observed the vehicle failed to stop at the red traffic signal at the intersection of North Bridge Avenue and Riverside Avenue, according to police.

As Dengel approached the intersection, he learned that the suspect vehicle had crashed into two other vehicles that were within the intersection, police said.

Both the driver and passenger exited the suspect vehicle and began fleeing the area on foot, the report said.

After a brief foot chase, both occupants of the vehicle were arrested by Dengel and Cahill in the rear of the old Exxon gas station, the report said.

Police said, in an inventory of the vehicle, Cahill discovered a 9mm Ruger SR9C handgun that was loaded with hollow point bullets. He also located 41 individually wrapped vials of suspected crack/cocaine, police said.

The following two men were arrested and charged with the offenses cited, according to the report:

• Alix Eugene, 23, a Tinton Falls resident. Charges: Possession of a defaced firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics, eluding and resisting arrest.
• Jamir Brown, 29, a Tinton Falls resident. Charges: Possession of a defaced firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics, eluding, resisting arrest and certain persons not authorized to possess a firearm. Brown was also issued 10 traffic summonses in connection with numerous offenses.

As a result of the accident, both the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle were injured, police said. They sustained head and back injuries, police said. No one else was injured, police said.

The suspect vehicle, the 2023 gray Hyundai Elantra, is registered to Alix Eugene, according to police.

Patrolmen Nick Maletto and Preston Mellaci assisted in the arrest and investigation.

"I’m very proud of all the officers involved. It was a team effort for sure, between spotting the suspicious activity, making the apprehension, conducting the motor vehicle accident investigation and completing all the necessary paperwork that follows," said Frazee, who released the information.