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Driver Chased Through Bergen, Rockland, Westchester Caught In Hartford

MAHWAH, N.J. -- A Connecticut man who led Mahwah and New York State police on a pair of high-speed chases was taken into custody when he showed up for court in Hartford on an unrelated matter Monday, authorities said.

Police car

Police car

Photo Credit: CLIFFVIEW PILOT file photo

Mahwah Sgt. Michael Blondin said he tried stopping the black Toyota SUV after he saw it "speeding, tailgating and passing other vehicles unsafely" on northbound Route 287 Friday afternoon.

"At first it appeared to be pulling over, but the vehicle soon fled the traffic stop," he said.

A chase joined by Officers Tyler Boucher and Christopher Monaco followed onto the New York State Thruway -- and then onto Route 59 near the Nanuet Mall.

Police cut off the pursuit at that point because of the increasing speed and traffic, said Blondin, who issued a bulletin with the SUV's license plate.

Moments later, New York State Police spotted the vehicle on the Tappan Zee Bridge. It sped off into Westchester County, where they cut off the pursuit.

Authorities identified the driver as Jason A. Roman and found the SUV outside his West Hartford residence, Blondin said.

Roman had fled, he said.

After discovering that Roman was due in court on Monday, local authorities were joined by U.S. Marshalls.

Roman "violently resisted arrest" and the courtroom had to be temporarily evacuated while he was taken into custody, Blondin said.

He was taken to a medical facility for injuries sustained in the scuffle, the sergeant said.

Once he's released, Roman will be transferred to the Hartford County Jail pending extradition to New Jersey.

He faces charges of eluding "in a manner creating a substantial risk of death or injury," along with a dozen motor vehicle summonses.

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