Robbery Suspect Caught After Trying to Flee in Van, Cab, Police Say

A local man was arrested after he allegedly led police on a car chase through Newark Saturday night, Sgt. Ron Glover of the Newark Police Department said Sunday.

A police sergeant was flagged down by a civilian and told him he had just been robbed at Ferry and Union streets by the occupant of a white van. The van was quickly spotted nearby but did not stop when police attempted to pull it over, Glover said.

The chase continued to Martin Luther King Boulevard and North Broad Street, where the van struck another vehicle, Glover said. The occupant of the van then fled on foot, running along train tracks.  

That occupant, 20-year-old Zakiyy D. Simpson, then entered a taxi. Police stopped the can at University and Central avenues and arrested Simpson, Glover said.

The occupants of the vehicle struck during the pursuit were taken to University Hospital where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. Simpson was also transported to UMDNJ for non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the motor vehicle accident.

Simpson is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, possession  of a weapon and receiving a stolen auto.