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An Asbury Park resident admitted to throwing two handguns out of a window while leading police on a motor vehicle chase throughout the city last year, according to a news release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The state will recommend Christopher Melendez receive a 20-year sentence in a New Jersey state prison with a minimum 10-year period before being eligible for parole in exchange for his plea.

Melendez, 27, led Asbury Park police officers on a motor vehicle chase through the streets in the middle of the afternoon on Feb. 7, striking one of the patrol cars before ultimately continuing to elude officers.

The pursuit ended after Melendez’s car crashed into a second patrol car blocking his path. A third handgun and over 200 bags of heroin were found in the vehicle.

Three handguns were also recovered in the incident, one with a defaced serial number. Due to a previous burglary conviction, Melendez had been barred from possessing weapons.

Melendez pleaded guilty to one count each of second degree eluding, certain persons not to have weapons, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500-feet of a public park, possession of a weapon in the commission of a controlled dangerous substance offense; three counts of second degree unlawful possession of a weapon; two counts of fourth degree aggravated assault on a police officer, one count of fourth degree possession of a defaced firearm; and motor vehicle charges for reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Margaret Koping prosecuted the case.

Melendez is represented by Alexander DeSavo of Freehold.

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