NEWARK -- Two police officers were hurt and three adults and a juvenile were arrested overnight when a stolen Infiniti tracked by a police helicopter crashed head on into a patrol car and burst into flames capping a Midnight chase, authorities said Sunday.
It was 11:55 p.m. Saturday, when State Police in the Vailsburg section of Newark spotted an Infiniti Q50 sedan that had been reported stolen in Fairfield and was sought in connection with a recent shooting several robberies and carjackings in Essex County, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said.
The troopers tried to pull the Infiniti over, when a chase began, prompting the troopers to request assistance from the Newark Police helicopter, Ambrose said.
The helicopter followed the car as it wove through Newark and several neighboring cities, before crashing head-on into an unmarked Newark Police car, occupied by two officers at the intersection of Morris and South Orange avenues in Newark, Ambrose said.
The two men and two teenage girls inside the Infiniti fled before the car caught fire, Ambrose said.
Hovering overhead, the helicopter crew flooded the area with search lights, and directed officers on the ground to the fleeing suspects, who were quickly caught, Ambros said.
Richard D. Williams, 39, and Terrell Norris, 28, of Newark, and Nakiah Burr, 19, of East Orange, were arrested along with a 16-year-old girl from Newark, Ambrose said.
Williams, who was carrying a loaded .38 handgun, was charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and weapons possession, while Norris, Burr and the juvenile were charged with receiving stolen property and resisting arrest.
The injured officers, as well as Williams, were taken to University Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, Ambrose said.
"The helicopter helped ensure everyone's safety by reducing the risks associated with high speed chases," Ambrose said in a statement.
Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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