By: Richard L. Smith
A jury has convicted Moa Mengesha, 43, of South Orange, on two counts of second-degree eluding police following two separate and dangerous incidents last summer, Essex County prosecutors announced.
The case was presented by Gianna Sanguinetti and Kathryn Zangari before Superior Court Judge Lori Grifa. Mengesha represented himself during the trial.
Prosecutors said the charges stemmed from two incidents in South Orange in which Mengesha was observed driving a vehicle displaying a fictitious license plate bearing the word “Traveler.”
The first incident occurred on August 22, 2024, when South Orange police attempted to stop the vehicle on Irvington Avenue.
According to testimony, Mengesha initially pulled over, but when officers determined the vehicle was unregistered and instructed him to shut it off, he instead put the car into drive and sped away.
At that moment, two officers had their hands on the vehicle and were at risk of being dragged.
A second incident occurred on September 2, 2024, when officers attempted another motor vehicle stop near South Orange Avenue and Sloan Street.
Surveillance video shown at trial captured Mengesha making a K-turn to avoid striking an officer. During the maneuver, the vehicle mounted a curb and traveled onto a sidewalk before running a red light into a busy intersection, forcing another vehicle to swerve to avoid a collision.
Authorities said he then ran a second red light, driving around a stopped vehicle.
“Eluding poses a serious threat not only to law enforcement, but to other motorists, pedestrians, and the community at large. 
We are pleased with the verdict and thank the officers involved for their assistance in this investigation,” said Assistant Prosecutor Gianna Sanguinetti.
Assistant Prosecutor Kathryn Zangari added that the verdict sends a clear message that individuals who flee from police will be held accountable and that protecting the public remains a top priority.