Elizabeth Man Found Guilty of Eluding

Published on April 22, 2013

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced today that a Morris County jury found Vambah Sheriff, 27 years old, of Elizabeth, New Jersey guilty of Second Degree Eluding. The jury returned its verdict after less than one day of deliberations. Assistant Prosecutor Joseph D'Onofrio, Jr. represented the State in the trial which had commenced on April 15, 2013.

On February 3, 2011 at 11:40 a.m., Florham Park Police Officer Brian Mensing was on routine patrol on Route 24 East when he randomly ran the license plate of defendant's car via his Mobile Data Terminal. An alert came back indicating defendant's New Jersey driving privileges were suspended and Officer Mensing effectuated a motor vehicle stop after positively identifying defendant. After defendant's vehicle came to a stop, but before the Officer could approach it, defendant sped away on Route 24, reaching speeds of around 80-90 mph. The pursuit was then terminated by Florham Park Police. Defendant was arrested later that evening in Elizabeth.

The defendant faces 20 years imprisonment with 10 years of parole ineligibility, consecutive to a 4-year prison term that the defendant is currently serving out of an unrelated Essex County conviction in 2012.

Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks Chief Patrick Montuore and the Florham Park Police Department, the City of Elizabeth Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office General Investigations Unit, whose efforts contributed to this result.

The Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple remanded the defendant to New Jersey State Prison to continue serving his initial prison term. The defendant's sentencing on the Eluding charge is scheduled for June 7, 2013, before Judge Whipple.

Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.