OAKLAND, N.J. – A wanted Florida man is facing a long list of criminal charges after police say he led officers on a brief pursuit, crashed into a utility pole, abandoned his pickup truck, and sparked an overnight manhunt in Oakland before being captured the following morning.
According to the Oakland Police Department, officers were dispatched shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday to investigate reports of multiple vehicles damaged in a parking lot on West Oakland Avenue.
Acting Capt. Michael Griffin said Officer James Velardo attempted to stop the driver, later identified as Dylan D. Keirs, 34, of Okeechobee, Florida, but Keirs accelerated away, heading north on Ramapo Valley Road.
Pursuit called off before crash
Police said Keirs continued through a red traffic signal near Courthouse Place before a supervising officer ordered the pursuit terminated.
“After the vehicle traveled through a red traffic signal near Courthouse Place, a supervising officer directed that the pursuit be discontinued, and the pursuing officer complied,” Griffin said.
A short time later, officers located Keirs’ 2012 Dodge pickup truck after it had crashed into a utility pole near Navajo Way.
The collision knocked down utility wires, forcing the closure of Ramapo Valley Road between Sioux Avenue and Navajo Way while utility crews made repairs and investigators processed the scene.
Police also reported recovering suspected drugs near the crashed pickup.
Multi-agency search ends with arrest
Officers from the Oakland, Mahwah, and Ramsey police departments, along with a Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, established a perimeter and searched the area overnight but were initially unable to locate Keirs.
The search ended shortly before 7:30 a.m. Friday, when officers found Keirs driving a stolen pickup truck near the home of a domestic violence victim, according to police.
Authorities charged Keirs with criminal mischief, eluding, hindering apprehension, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of controlled dangerous substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police also issued 22 motor vehicle summonses and said additional charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident are expected. Officials did not release details of that investigation because of its sensitive nature.
The charges against Keirs are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A wanted Florida man was arrested after police say he fled from officers and crashed into a utility pole in Oakland.
- Authorities allege the suspect abandoned the crashed truck before being found hours later driving a stolen pickup.
- Keirs faces multiple criminal charges along with 22 motor vehicle summonses.
FAQ
- Who was arrested?
Dylan D. Keirs, 34, of Okeechobee, Florida. - Why did police begin pursuing him?
Officers were investigating reports of multiple vehicles damaged in a parking lot when they attempted to stop his pickup. - How did the pursuit end?
Supervisors terminated the pursuit before the pickup crashed into a utility pole, after which the driver fled on foot. - How was he captured?
Police located him hours later driving a stolen pickup truck. - What charges does he face?
Police charged him with criminal mischief, eluding, hindering apprehension, burglary, motor vehicle theft, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, and numerous traffic violations.
Source: Oakland Police Department, Jerry DeMarco/Independent Online News
