FBI, Police Takedown: Hackensack Shooting Suspect Tries to Flee, Rams Cop Car in Dramatic Arrest

Violent Crime Task Force Nabs Man Wanted for 2024 Shooting; Faces Assault on Officer Charge

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, a joint law enforcement operation in Hackensack has resulted in the dramatic arrest of a local man wanted in connection with a shooting last year. Authorities say the suspect compounded his charges when he attempted a desperate escape, ramming a police vehicle and resisting arrest.

The successful apprehension was a coordinated effort involving the Hackensack Police Department, the FBI North Jersey Violent Crime Task Force, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Warrant Squad.

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The Original Crime and the Manhunt

The suspect, identified as Johnnie J. Harris, 30, of Hackensack, was wanted following an incident on October 4, 2024.

• The Incident: Police allege Harris fired a handgun at a man he was arguing with on Newman Street before fleeing the scene in an SUV.

• The Investigation: A multi-agency task force was activated to locate Harris following the attempted shooting.

The Arrest: Ramming and Resisting

The search concluded on December 4, 2025, in Hackensack, but not without a struggle.

1. Location: Officers located Harris sitting in a parked car on Prospect Avenue.

2. Attempted Escape: As officers moved in, Harris allegedly attempted to flee by driving away, striking a parked law enforcement vehicle.

3. The Takedown: Harris then tried to run on foot but was apprehended after a struggle with the arresting officers.

Hackensack Police Detective Captain Darrin DeWitt confirmed the details of the arrest in a press release issued December 5.

Serious Charges Piled Up

Johnnie J. Harris now faces a litany of serious charges spanning both the original shooting and his violent attempt to evade capture:

• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon

• Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose

• Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons or Ammunition

• Aggravated Assault (for the original shooting)

• Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer (for ramming the vehicle/resisting arrest)

Harris was transported to the Bergen County Jail, where he awaits his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

Note: Police remind the public that all charges are accusations, and Harris is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Hackensack Police extended their gratitude to the FBI and Passaic County Sheriff’s Department for the inter-agency cooperation that led to the successful, high-risk arrest.

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