Newark Man Sentenced to 20 years for Aggravated Assault and Eluding

Defendant fled from police on Irvine Turner Boulevard

 Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Ali Bass, 33, of Newark was sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court.

On Nov. 5, an EssexCounty jury convicted Bass of aggravated assault by eluding, eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon – a motor vehicle – and resisting arrest.

Today, Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case, argued for an extended prison term because of Bass’s extensive criminal record.

As an adult, Bass has been arrested 16 times, has violated probation twice and has five prior felony convictions which include possession of a handgun, escape from custody, and drug offenses. Today’s conviction represents the defendant’s sixth felony conviction.

Edwab argued that Bass had the benefit of probation, jail time and two stints in state prison but continued to commit new and even more serious crimes.

The crime he was sentenced for today occurred on Dec. 11, 2009. Bass, while driving a Ford Taurus, knowingly fled from Newark Police after being given a signal to stop. While eluding the police and driving on the wrong side of Irvine Turner Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Newark, Bass crashed the Taurus he was driving head-on into a Toyota Tundra, causing the Tundra to go airborn and landed on its side.

This crash resulted in injuries to the driver of the Tundra. In addition, both Bass and his passenger were injured. Bass suffered multiple fractures to his femur and his passenger sustained injuries to his neck, back and hand.

“Defendant Bass’s selfish actions to avoid apprehension created a risk of serious injury or death to not only himself and his passenger but the driver of the Tundra, the police, and the good citizens of Newark on Irvine Turner Blvd,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Edwab, noting this occurred during the middle of the day.

Under the No Early Release Act, Bass must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he becomes eligible for parole.

In addition, Bass is charged with committing three homicides. He is awaiting trial on those charges.