From Teaneck to Manhattan: High-Speed Chase Ends in Arrest After Officer Struck and Multi-Car GWB Crash
photos courtesy of the Port Authority PBA
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teaneck NJ, a routine license plate alert escalated into a violent multi-state pursuit Sunday evening, leaving three police officers injured and several civilian vehicles damaged. The suspect, now in custody, is accused of using his vehicle as a weapon against law enforcement before leading police on a high-speed chase across the George Washington Bridge.
The Incident: A Targeted Attack in Teaneck
The chaos began at approximately 5:23 PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026, when Teaneck Police received an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert. The vehicle—a 2025 Honda Accord with Pennsylvania plates—was already wanted by New York City authorities for a previous vehicular assault on a police officer.
Teaneck Officers Kyle Rosen and Alexander LaVacca located the vehicle in a municipal lot on State Street. As Officer Rosen approached the car on foot, the driver—later identified as Royer Soto—accelerated directly toward him. The Honda struck Officer Rosen, knocking him to the ground, before speeding away through the T-State Plaza shopping center.
The Pursuit: Route 4 to the GWB
Teaneck Officer Gage DiStasio spotted the fleeing Honda almost immediately, initiating a high-speed pursuit:
-
The Route: The chase tore through Teaneck Road and onto Route 4 East, racing through Englewood and Fort Lee.
-
The Bridge: Upon reaching the George Washington Bridge, Soto entered the lower level, side-swiping two civilian vehicles.
-
The Hand-off: As the pursuit crossed state lines, the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) took the lead.
Chaos in Washington Heights
Soto’s attempt to escape intensified on the bridge. According to the Port Authority PBA, the suspect struck a third vehicle on the bridge, causing further injuries and damage.
The chase finally ended at 178th Street and Fort Washington Avenue in Washington Heights. Soto abandoned the wrecked Honda and fled on foot. PAPD Officers John Natiku, Christopher Gallardo, Joseph Romano, and Joseph Cassera engaged in a foot pursuit, eventually tackling the suspect.
The arrest was not peaceful. Soto violently resisted, resulting in injuries to two Port Authority officers. Following the struggle, police discovered several baggies of cocaine in his possession.
Officer Recovery and Pending Charges
The law enforcement community is rallying behind the three injured members:
-
Officer Kyle Rosen (Teaneck PD): Struck by the vehicle in the initial confrontation.
-
Two PAPD Officers: Injured during the violent struggle to apprehend the suspect in Manhattan.
Royer Soto faces a litany of serious charges across multiple jurisdictions, including Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Eluding, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS).
“Our officers face unpredictable dangers every shift. This suspect was already wanted for assaulting an officer in NYC, and he proved today he had no intention of stopping quietly.” — Port Authority PBA Statement
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]
