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NJ Bail Reform: Fair Lawn PD Nabs Repeat Offender, 20, In Car Chase, Crash

FAIR LAWN, N.J. -- A repeat offender received a host of charges from Fair Lawn police after an overnight stolen car chase ended in a crash in Hackensack, authorities said Wednesday.

Jacob Gibbs

Jacob Gibbs

Photo Credit: MUGSHOT: Courtesy WESTWOOD PD

It was the third arrest in a little over two months for Jacob Gibbs -- who, at only 20, has already amassed an adult rap sheet of offenses in various towns.

It began just before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, when Officer Geovanny Buitron tried to stop a 2017 Mini Cooper reported stolen out of Teaneck for speeding on southbound Route 208, Sgt. Brian Metzler said.

Gibbs accelerated, with the car eventually reaching more than 100 miles an hour, he said.

Moments later, he tried taking the Hackensack Avenue ramp and ended up crashing into the parking lot of The Coach House Restaurant on Route 4 in Hackensack, the sergeant said.

Both occupants then bailed out, he said.

Back-ups from Paramus, Hackensack, New Milford, River Edge, Teaneck and the Bergen County Sheriff's Office joined the search.

River Edge police found the passenger, Mekhi Rosa, 19 of Teaneck, behind the Bergen Academies complex in Hackensack, Metzler said.

Teaneck police chased down Gibbs behind the Rothman Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University, with help from a sheriff's K-9 Unit, he said.

Rosa, who refused medical attention, was released after being charged with unlawful taking by means of conveyance.

Gibbs was taken to New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus for evaluation, then to Fair Lawn Police Headquarters and, eventually, the Bergen County Jail.

He's charged with 16 offenses -- among them, receiving stolen property, eluding, driving under the influence, reckless and careless driving, speeding and drug-related counts.

Gibbs was 18 when he was busted for aggravated assault and weapons possession in Teaneck in April 2015. A judge released him the next day. More arrests followed that year, including separate drug busts in Hackensack and Englewood.

This past Sept. 12, Gibbs was arrested in Hackensack on burglary and theft charges. A judge released him less than three days later.

Then, on Nov. 13, police summoned by an alert neighbor said they found another stolen car -- also out of Teaneck -- outside a Westwood home and Gibbs inside, rifling an upstairs bedroom dresser.

SEE: Neighbor Calls, Westwood Police Corner Burglar In House

A judge ordered Gibbs held in the Bergen County Jail until a court appearance the following day, during which another judge released him.

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