Traffic Slows West Orange Man's Getaway, Cops Say

A West Orange man attempting to flee a traffic stop on New Road had his getaway slowed by traffic on Interstate 280 Thursday afternoon, Parsippany Police said.

Jonathan Scales, 26, was charged with eluding as well as "numerous" traffic violations, according to a department statement.

At around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Officer Paul Levi conducted a traffic stop of Scales' vehicle on New Road near Wawa Gas, according to Patrolman Earl Kinsey, a spokesman for the Parsippany Police Department.

Kinsey said Scales was found driving on a suspended license and had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Montclair in the amount of $250.

However, as Levi exited his patrol car, Scales fled the scene and pulled onto Interstate 280 East, Kinsey said.

Scales' getaway was slowed in Livingston by an unrelated accident further eastbound on I-280, Kinsey said.

Scales exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, Kinsey said. Levi and a state trooper caught up to Scales and placed him under arrest, Kinsey said.

Scales remains in Parsippany Police custody and is being processed, Kinsey said.