Jesse Namotka was charged with a stunning number of crimes.
EDISON -- A fleeing driver emptied several rounds into his own backseat while trying to shoot at police over his shoulder in a chase down Route 1 and Amboy Avenue, police said.
Jesse D. Namotka, of Sylva, N.C., is being held on $250,000 bail after his arrest Saturday. He's been charged with attempted murder, threatening to commit murder, carjacking, criminal restraint, weapons charges, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, leaving the scene of an accident and eluding police, township police said.
Police say he had commandeered his cousin's car at around 12:45 p.m. Saturday when the cousin leaped from the vehicle at Route 1 and Wooding Avenue. The cousin was treated for minor injuries, police said. Namotka had allegedly taken his cousin against her will in the Jeep Cherokee.
PREVIOUSLY: Edison cop badly hurt by fleeing motorist
Police say Namotka, frightened by his cousin's sudden departure from the vehicle, hit another car, but then fled the scene.
Officer Nicholas Bayne saw the damaged Jeep with a flat rear tire and gave chase up Route 1. Namotka eventually lost control of the Jeep along Amboy and Franklin avenues, police said.
Namotka surrendered, and police found a dozen packets of heroin, a small amount of cocaine, and two handguns -- a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun.
Police say they found bullet holes and slugs from the revolver in the vehicle's backseat, indicating that he tried to shoot at police during the chase.
Namotka is wanted for a parole violation in connection with a robbery in another jurisdiction, police said.
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
