New Jersey State troopers logged hundreds of miles along New Jersey highways pursuing suspects who unsuccessfully tried to elude them in two separate car chases this holiday weekend. Three people were arrested.

It was no holiday for state troopers, who spent Monday morning racing around nearly 100 miles of New Jersey highways in pursuit of two suspects. Now, those suspects are under arrest.

Fortunately, the high-speed chased ended with no serious injuries. It began just after 8 a.m. in the northbound lane of the NJ Turnpike in East Rutherford.

Police say 29-year-old Giovanni Petrov of the Bronx was at the wheel with no license, and 26-year-old Vanessa Chavez, also of the Bronx, was in the passenger seat.

When officers tried to pull them over for a routine traffic stop, Petrov allegedly sped away, both driver and passenger allegedly throwing drugs from the car as they went. They sped north on the Turnpike until they hit Route 80, went west on 80 for a while, and then came back to the turnpike, which they took south again.

Police were able to stop the 94 Toyota Camry at Exit 18E in Secaucus, an hour and 20 minutes after the chase began.

State police are holding Petrov and Chavez in Newark. They say in addition to having no license, Petrov is currently on parole, and objects thrown from the car contained small amounts of illegal drugs.

Separately, a woman who police said was holding a female passenger against her will led state troopers on a three-hour, 150-mile chase along the turnpike Saturday.

A 54-year-old Jersey City woman called police Saturday night and told them that Eleanor Valdenarro would not let her out of the SUV, which was on the Turnpike in Mercer County and headed south.

State troopers followed the vehicle to the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, where Valdenarro, 44, of Dumont, refused to pull over. She then turned around and headed back north, threatening to crash the SUV if officers interfered, police said.

Troopers finally apprehended Valdenarro after she exited the turnpike and drove to a business in Bayonne. The passenger was not harmed, and police said only that the women “were acquainted” but declined to elaborate on their relationship.

Valdenarro was charged with criminal restraint, making terroristic threats and eluding police. Officials at the Hudson County Jail, where she was being held on $23,000 bail, did not know if Valdenarro had an attorney.

Jones said it was unusual to have two lengthy pursuits back to back.

(Source: WCBSTV)