Plainfield man charged for chasing victim and running them down in car

NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and North Plainfield Chief of Police William G. Parenti announced the arrest of Emilio J. Liranzomercedes, age 20, Putnam Avenue, Plainfield, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, November 9, 2020 at approximately 1:15 a.m. North Plainfield Police responded to the 400 block area of Somerset Street, North Plainfield on a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. Responding Officers located a 21 year old Plainfield male suffering from injuries as a result of being struck by a motor vehicle. Officers on scene determined that the operator of the motor vehicle who is identified as Emilio J. Liranzomercedes was involved in a verbal dispute with the victim. Defendant Liranzomercedes attempted to strike the victim with his motor vehicle, a 2011 GMC Acadia. The victim fled on foot towards the rear of a building on Somerset Street. Defendant Liranzomercedes briefly exited his vehicle to chase the victim but subsequently returned to his GMC Acadia and continued to pursue the victim at a high rate of speed thus striking the victim and the building before coming to a rest in the middle of Somerset Street. Defendant Liranzomercedes attempted to flee the area on foot but was detained by concerned citizens until the arrival of law enforcement where he was taken into custody.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that responding North Plainfield Police Officers along with emergency medical personnel tended to the victim at the scene and was transported to an area trauma center where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Investigators from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) along with North Plainfield Police detectives responded to conduct the investigation.

Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Liranzomercedes is charged with second degree Aggravated Assault, third degree Assault by Auto, and disorderly persons Underage Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage.

Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Chief Parenti request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the North Plainfield Police Department at (908) 769-2937 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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