Teen Arrested After Massive 500-Car Meet Sparks Police Pursuit in Paramus!
Paramus, NJ — An early-morning car meetup involving hundreds of vehicles on Route 4 led to a police chase and the arrest of an 18-year-old from Easton, Pennsylvania.
According to Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti, the incident unfolded around 1 a.m. Saturday at a 500-car gathering near the Sports Authority, adjacent to an Ikea parking lot.
As police monitored the meetup, an officer observed four individuals wearing ski masks entering a Chevy Cruze. The officer, approaching the vehicle, noticed a handgun in the front door compartment, later identified as a BB gun that closely resembled a Glock pistol.
The Chevy Cruze then sped away, veering into oncoming traffic lanes and running a red light before entering Route 17 South.
During the pursuit, the officer noted the reckless maneuvers of the driver, adding urgency to the situation as the vehicle continued through busy Paramus streets.
Following the chase, police apprehended the driver, who now faces charges of possession of a weapon and multiple motor vehicle violations.
Although the gun was not a firearm, its appearance raised immediate safety concerns, leading to additional scrutiny by authorities.
The three passengers in the car, all minors, were released to their parents. Police did not confirm if these individuals were directly involved in the larger car meetup, which officers disbanded shortly after the incident.
Saturday’s meetup and resulting police activity mirrored a similar event in March, where authorities intervened in an unsanctioned car gathering of approximately 1,000 vehicles at Paramus Town Square.
That earlier incident caused significant traffic delays along Route 17, prompting Paramus officials to heighten monitoring efforts at popular meetup locations.
Police Chief Guidetti did not respond to further inquiries from New Jersey 101.5 regarding potential connections between the arrested individuals and the broader car meetup.