Suspect crashes after leading police on chase through 3 New Jersey towns

EWING TWP., N.J. (WPVI) -- A suspect led police on a chase through three New Jersey towns, and the pursuit only ended when his vehicle left the road and crashed.

The incident happened on August 1 in Ewing Township.

Police Chief Al Rhodes said Victor Martin, 62, of Stratford, N.J., was wanted for eluding and aggravated assault against a police officer in Lawrence Township. Martin also had warrants in Florida.

While Martin was sitting in the Wawa parking lot on Silvia Street on Friday morning, an officer received a wanted persons alert through the vehicle's license plate reader.

"While trying to ascertain the identity of the person, the subject pulled a knife on the officers," said Rhodes.

Chief Rhodes said officers backed away when they saw Martin had a large kitchen knife in his right hand and ordered him to drop it.

Some officers were also inside Wawa for a "Coffee with a Cop" event. As they surrounded Martin's car, he closed the door and rammed into a patrol vehicle before speeding away.

"Our protocol is to only chase for certain violations, and it was obvious to the officers at the time that this subject was a danger to himself and the traveling public. The supervisors made the call to continue the pursuit," said Chief Rhodes.

Dash cam video shows the intense police pursuit as Martin blows through stop signs and traffic lights, crosses into opposite lanes and hits other vehicles.

The chase goes from Ewing into Trenton, and then finally ended when he crashed into a guardrail and trees on West Park Avenue in Hamilton Township.

Once again, officers ordered him to drop the knife.

Moments later, they brought Martin to the ground to arrest him.

"I can't be more proud of the officers that were out there and how they handled themselves that day," said Chief Rhodes. "Their use of their tactics and their de-escalation techniques and not allowing it to rise to a deadly force situation should be complimented."

Residents nearby witnessed the aftermath and the large police presence.

"I think it was a little much," said John McManimon.

But McManimon believes Martin needed to be stopped.

"He evidently had no regard for a police officer (and) backed into a couple of cars, he's not going to worry about running into anyone else," said McManimon.

Chief Rhodes said the pursuit will undergo internal review.

Martin was taken to the hospital and then jail. He was released on August 2.

As for future traffic stops, Chief Rhodes wants drivers to know:

"The officers aren't trying to get into a confrontation. They're looking out for their safety as well as yours on the highway, so just pull on the side of the road and present your documents."