Convicted Felon Arrested After Foot Chase Across 6 Lanes Of Route 17
Man who was convicted of shooting a police officer in NY state was arrested in Mahwah on the 4th of July, police said
A convicted felon who served time in a New York prison for shooting a police officer was arrested in Mahwah Wednesday after a foot pursuit across Route 17, Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli said Thursday morning.
Paul G. Samwell, 38, of Beacon, NY, was arrested on Independence Day after running from police during a traffic stop on Route 17, Batelli said. According to police, there was a warrant out for Samwell’s arrest for violating parole.
“Samwell had been paroled in April 2012 after serving 12 years of a 20-year sentence for shooting a police officer in Orange County. He violated his parole shortly after his release and the warrant was subsequently issued,” Batelli said.
Wednesday afternoon, Samwell was pulled over for speeding on Route 17 North by Mahwah Police Officers Richard Albro and Daniel Stewart, police said. Samwell presented police with an ID card saying his name was Otis E. Adams, Batelli said.
According to Batelli, “Albro had doubts about [Samwell’s] true identity,” and when questioning him, “Samwell suddenly ran from the scene across all six lanes of Route 17 nearly getting struck by a vehicle as he crossed the highway busy with 4th of July holiday traffic.”
Stewart chased Samwell across Route 17 and up Corporate Drive, Batelli said. Nearby agencies and the Bergen County K-9 unit were called in to search for Samwell after he ran into a wooded area off Corporate Drive, police said. The K-9 unit, led by Bergen County K-9 officer Les Lorenc, “tracked Samwell to the site of the Hampton Inn Hotel where he was located in the garbage dumpsters and placed under arrest,” Batelli said.
Samwell continued to insist he was Otis Adams, and resisted getting his fingerprints taken, Batelli said.
Samwell was charged with hindering apprehension, resisting arrest/eluding a police officer, and obstructing administration of law, police said.
Samwell was transported to the Bergen County Jail. According to Batelli, no bail was set because of the outstanding warrant from NY.
Marc
7:14 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
What's the deal with Mahwah lately? A murder suicide. Stabbing, naked guy in the woods and now this. Jeez, used to be a somewhat quiet town.
Ramapough Indian Concerned
8:34 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
And were firing . the good people from the DPW. Leys not privatise the recycling dept and get rid of 7 fire and Ambulance volunteers. Attend the council meeting on the 12 th. Thursday. Lets keep our town the way it was. Bringing in outsiders will ne our demise. Mr. Laforet shame on you..All Politicians have an agenda..lets find out the truth attend the council meeting on the 12th.
John Focker
2:12 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
haha learn to spell and use proper grammar! Shit, people like you are the main reason why the U.S is the way it is. You think you know so much just because you read a newspaper or watch TV? Try spending time researching or following credible sources! By listening to people like you, i actually feel like this world is a complete failure! Thanks buddy!
Ramapough Indian Concerned
8:41 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
My god what is the mayor doing to our town. Dont devide us. This Town is so special. Dont bring in outsiders. The DPW Employees Take care of this towns landscape. roads. playgrounds. ballfields etc. Why would the mayor fire them and bring in suspicious people.. Please. Mr. Laforet Dont change our town. We Need
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patchreaders
5:50 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
WOW. A LOT OF ACTION THIS SUMMER. I RATHER HAVE A NICE QUIET LAZY SUMMER, THAN A HOT MIAMI VICE TYPE SUMMER. I RATHER HEAR THE SOUND OF KIDS PLAYING THAN THE SOUND OF GUNS, SIRENS, AND RACING CARS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Sandy
10:24 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Nice job Mahwah PD. What does this have to do with the DPW?
Ramapough Indian Concerned
4:41 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Sorry The comment was left in the wrong section...I'm new at this. I heard about Mahwah Residents loosing their Jobs with the DPW so I wanted to Comment. I will say it has been an Action packed summer for Mahwahs Finest , Inc EMS, Fire and Emergency Management It seems all incidents have been handled Very professionally. It's too Bad 7 of those Courageous selfless heroes will not have a Job with the Town or be able to respond to Mahwah's Fire and EMS emergency's. It seems The above mentioned Emergency's That were handled "Nicely " has everything to do with Mahwah DPW. They are the ones responding to the calls. And the Mayor Thanks them by wanting to eliminate their jobs with Mahwah DPW....Yes Thank you Mahwah PD and Yes Thank you Mahwah DPW oops I mean Mahwah FD oops I mean Mahwah EMS OOPs. I guess their all the same people,, WOW . Thanks!
toinfinity
8:00 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Another unsuspecting criminal falls at the hands our Mahwah cops. Great job. Bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do when they come for youuu.