Prosecutor: Man Wanted in Hammer Attack Caught After High-Speed Chase

A Hackensack man wanted for attacking his Teaneck girlfriend with a hammer led authorities on a high-speed chase Wednesday through several Bergen County towns before crashing on Route 208 in Franklin Lakes, the prosecutor's office said.

Mark Hunt, 51, was charged with attempted murder, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, eluding and theft of a motor vehicle.

According to Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli, Hunt got into a verbal dispute with his girlfriend at her Teaneck home on Irvington Road early Saturday morning before striking her several times in the head with a hammer.

Hunt then stole cash from the residence and fled in the victim's vehicle, Molinelli said.

Officers responded to the residence for a report of a motor vehicle theft at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday and found the woman bleeding from the head. There was a large amount of blood and the weapon was found inside the house, Molinelli said.

The woman was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center in critical conditions with multiple skull fractures, Molinelli said. The victim was listed in stable condition Wednesday night, Molinelli said.

Police were unable to initially locate Hunt until about 11 a.m. Wednesday when he was spotted by Maywood Police on Beech Street in the stolen vehicle, Molinelli said.

Hunt sped away at a high rate of speed when the officer attempted to pull him over, Molinelli said. Officers pursued the vehicle through Paramus, onto Route 4 westbound and then Route 208, Molinelli said.

The chase ended when Hunt lost control and crashed into a tree on Route 208 northbound at Ewing Avenue in Franklin Lakes, Molinelli said.

Hunt, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was arrested after a brief struggle with officers, Molinelli said.

Hunt has been transported to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail with no 10 percent option. His first court appearance has not yet been set.