Fairfield (NJ) The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Rammie Abdulaziz (18) of Roseland, N.J. for eluding police and obstruction by flight on December 19, 2020. On that date, at approximately 12:55 AM, Sergeant Steven Ptaszynski was patrolling on Passaic Avenue near Greenbrook Road when he observed two vehicles proceeding south on Passaic Avenue traveling at a high rate of speed and appearing to be racing each other.
The sergeant initiated a motor vehicle stop of both cars near the Thatcher McGhees restaurant. The first vehicle was a 1999 Toyota Camry and the second vehicle was a 1999 Honda Civic.
Within seconds of both cars stopping, the Toyota suddenly accelerated away from the stop in an active attempt to avoid the traffic stop. Another officer had just arrived and remained with the Honda while Sergeant Ptaszynski began pursuing the Toyota. The Toyota fled up Beverly Road at excessive speeds and was having difficulty keeping control on the snow-covered roads from the weather on the previous day. After obtaining the license plate of the Toyota, the officer terminated the pursuit based upon the dangers posed to the public on the residential streets.
Fairfield officers along with those from West Caldwell, North Caldwell and Roseland continued to search the area for the suspect vehicle. It is alleged that they found the vehicle after it crashed into a snow bank and had left the roadway near the intersection of Woodland Road and Natalie Drive in West Caldwell. The Toyota was found to be operated by Abdulaziz and he was taken into custody without further incident.
In addition to the criminal charges, Abdulaziz was charged with14 motor vehicle violations. He was eventually released on his own recognizance pending an initial hearing in the superior court in Newark, N.J. on January 28, 2021.
(It should be noted that the charges against Abdulaziz are merely allegations and that he is presumed innocent until he either pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law)
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna
