After allegedly shoplifting various items from the Macy’s on Prospect Avenue in West Orange and using his vehicle to strike at least one officer in his flight from the scene, Murad Lampley, 22, led police on a pursuit that ultimately ended on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in Newark last night.
Employees from Macy’s called the West Orange Police Department with a description of Lampley at 6:41pm last night, after he was observed stealing unspecified merchandise from the store. Officers immediately responded to the scene and found Lampley in his vehicle. One officer tried to stop Lampley and was hit – he suffered minor leg injuries. Lampley continued to flee the scene.
According to authorities, Lampley then drove the wrong way down a street on his way to the highway. Officers continued to pursue him, but he eluded them down Interstate 280 into Newark, striking at least three pedestrian vehicles as he drove the several miles. When his vehicle came to a stop, he and his female passenger both fled on foot. They were apprehended after a short foot chase and taken into custody.
Lampley has been charged with Robbery, Eluding, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, and Theft (Shoplifting). He is being held at the Essex County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail (no 10%).
His female passenger, later identified as Wajeehah Spears, 23, was also arrested and charged (likely under a Conspiracy theory). She too is being held at the Essex County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
For more information, see the Star-Ledger article entitled, “Man arrested in Newark after West Orange theft, striking cop with car, authorities say.”
