Clifton, New Jersey, USA:  A man from Clifton has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly fleeing from police during a welfare check and later calling police headquarters to boast about evading officers.

According to the East Rutherford Police Department, 38-year-old Vishal Bhatt contacted the department on January 28 to complain about a traffic citation he had received. During the conversation, officers became concerned about his well-being based on remarks he made, prompting them to conduct a welfare check at his reported location.

Police stated that officers located Bhatt seated inside a white Kia Rio. As officers approached the vehicle, he allegedly fled the scene. Authorities reported that Bhatt ran a stop sign, improperly passed another vehicle, and nearly collided with oncoming traffic.

Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, Bhatt reportedly accelerated at a high speed, illegally passing several vehicles and endangering other motorists. Due to safety concerns, officers eventually terminated the pursuit. Bhatt was later positively identified as the driver, according to police officials.

Authorities further stated that Bhatt subsequently contacted police headquarters multiple times, during which he allegedly bragged about successfully eluding law enforcement.

On January 30, officers located Bhatt in Clifton and placed him under arrest. He has been charged with eluding police and several motor vehicle violations, including unsafe operation of a vehicle, unsafe lane changes, failure to stop for an emergency vehicle, operating without a valid driver’s license or insurance, and speeding over a sidewalk.

Bhatt was taken into custody and transported to the Bergen County Jail, police confirmed.