Clifton Driver Who Led Cops on a “High Speed Pursuit”, Arrested
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
East Rtherford NJ, in a plot twist that feels more like a failed movie audition than real life, a 38-year-old Clifton man found out the hard way that “bragging rights” don’t hold up in court. After a high-speed chase through the streets of East Rutherford, the driver allegedly called the police station to boast about his escape—only to be tracked down and arrested the very next day.
Here is how a routine traffic ticket spiraled into a 24-hour crime drama in Bergen County.
The Call That Started It All
On Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, Vishal Bhatt contacted the East Rutherford Police Department. According to Captain Jeff Yannacone, Bhatt was reportedly upset over a motor vehicle ticket he had received the previous day.
During the call, Bhatt disclosed his location near Oak Street. Concerned for his well-being based on his comments, officers were dispatched to investigate. When they arrived, they spotted Bhatt in a white Kia Rio—and the situation quickly went from a welfare check to a dangerous pursuit.
The “Smokey and the Bandit” Moment
According to police reports, as soon as Bhatt saw the patrol cars, he didn’t just drive away—he launched into a reckless getaway:
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The Chase: Bhatt allegedly sped off, ran a stop sign, and nearly struck an oncoming vehicle while improperly passing others.
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Public Risk: Officers attempted a stop, but Bhatt accelerated further, weaving through traffic illegally.
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The Decision: Prioritizing public safety, East Rutherford police terminated the high-speed pursuit once they had positively identified the driver.
The Fatal Mistake: The “Victory” Call
Thinking he had outsmarted the law, Bhatt allegedly made several follow-up calls to the East Rutherford PD. His message? He was “bragging” about his ability to elude the officers.
Unfortunately for him, police detectives were already one step ahead. By Friday, Jan. 30, detectives tracked Bhatt to Clifton. He was spotted in the same white Kia Rio and arrested without incident.
A Laundry List of Charges
Bhatt was transported to the Bergen County Jail and faces a staggering list of offenses. Beyond the third-degree felony charge for eluding police, he was hit with a mountain of motor vehicle summonses:
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Reckless & Careless Driving
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Failure to yield to emergency vehicles
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Speeding and Unsafe Lane Changes
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No Driver’s License or Insurance
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Failure to comply with police direction
“It’s one thing to elude; it’s another to call the station and tell them about it. Our detectives worked quickly to ensure the individual was off the streets without further risk to the public.”
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another immigrant… no surprise
Thank a democrat!
Do the needful !
People watch too many movies. And with all the traffic, and the technology with cameras, everywhere and communication. Good luck, not to mention all the debris in the road, potholes, poorly design roads,
In a Kia Rio?