Port Authority police were involved in a wild car chase on the George Washington Bridge yesterday in an attempt to track down a kidnapping suspect, according to reports. The suspect was apprehended, though four officers were injured.
Luis Figueroa, 33, a resident of the Bronx and of Pennsylvania, was wanted for a number of crimes allegedly committed in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. At around 8:30 a.m. in Hazelton, Pa., Figueroa allegedly attacked a pregnant woman and kidnapped another woman. Authorities say he took the abducted woman to New Jersey, where he stole a car from a National Parks Service worker, then drove to a Paterson car dealership, attacked a family member with a machete and attempted to burn the car dealership down before fleeing in a stolen Escalade.
At around 11:40 a.m., cops say Figueroa crashed into an SUV driven by Port Authority Officer Brian Ahern, while at the Fort Lee toll plaza. That car then reportedly crashed into a toll booth; cops say Figueroa then crossed the bridge, hitting another Port Authority vehicle. According to officers, Figueroa tried to escape on foot, but was tackled by officers.
Two officers are being treated for a possible broken wrist and arm, and another officer was injured but did not need to be hospitalized. Ahern was hurt as well.
