Cops: Newark Man Caught After Trying to Flee

A Newark man on a dirt bike sped away from an officer and then tried to flee on foot before being apprehended over the weekend, Parsippany Police said Thursday.

Godfrey Munroe, 28, was charged with eluding and five motor vehicle violations in relation to the incident, which occurred Saturday at about 7:30 p.m.

According to police, Munroe was spotted driving erratically on what was reported to be a dirt bike near the Knoll Gardens Apartments in Lake Hiawatha.

Officer Ross Cooper was called to the scene and saw a man without a helmet driving a motorcycle on Van Wyck Road toward Cooper's patrol vehicle.

Police said the officer made a gesture, telling the motorcyclist to stop.

"The driver made a left turn in front of the patrol vehicle and fled at a high rate of speed," Officer Earl Kinsey said in a statement. "Officer Cooper pulled behind the motorcycle and activated his emergency lights and sirens. The motorcycle again quickly accelerated northbound on North Beverwyck Road and fled through the flashing caution light and right onto Knoll Road before striking a curb at a high rate of speed and being thrown from the motorcycle."

Munroe continued his flight and then attempted to escape on foot, but Kinsey said Cooper quickly reached him and made an arrest.

Monroe was treated at the scene by the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad.

Munroe was charged and released after posting $5,000 bail, police said.

For questions about this blotter, contact natalie.davis@patch.com.