EAST BRUNSWICK — Police arrested a local man and charged him with numerous offenses after a foot chase ended in his own back yard.
Police arrested Bruce Lige, 38, of Whitehead Avenue, South River, and charged him with eluding police, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, and possession of burglary tools. The arrest, which occurred around noon Sept. 26, came after a foot chase involving police officers from both East Brunswick and South River.
According to East Brunswick police, the incident began when Lige allegedly cut the security cables on six demonstration rechargeable drills and saws at Villagers Hardware, Route 18 and Racetrack Road in East Brunswick.
"He was shoplifting and someone saw him and called the police," said East Brunswick Police Sgt. Russell MacArthur. "He walked out the door with an obvious bulge in his stomach because he had six rechargeable tools [there]."
After taking the tools, police said Lige left the store and got into his vehicle, a maroon 1994 Dodge minivan.
East Brunswick officer Michael Knoll saw Lige’s vehicle on Route 18 and tried to pull it over. The driver then allegedly made an abrupt, illegal turn over the center road barrier and onto Rues Lane, police said.
Knoll followed in pursuit on Rues Lane to the Old Bridge Turnpike and then to Gladstone Road. Lige then allegedly hit a curb while turning onto Buck Road and blew out a tire. Officer Sean Taulane joined the pursuit as it turned onto River Road and headed into the borough of South River, near Whitehead Avenue, police said.
Lige then turned onto Kathyrn Street, where he left the car and took off on foot.
"He was trying to make it to his own backyard on Whitehead Avenue," MacArthur said. "I guess he was in desperation and trying to get into his house. I can’t guess what his plan was. I have no idea."
The two East Brunswick police officers were joined by two South River officers as they pursued Lige on foot. Lige was caught in his own back yard and arrested after a brief struggle, police said.
Police reportedly found the six rechargeable tools, valued at more than $1,300, in Lige’s vehicle.
Police said Lige was also wanted for child support, and had more than $5,600 in traffic warrants, according to police. He was ticketed for driving with a suspended license, driving while uninsured and reckless driving.
Lige was held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in lieu of $20,000 bail.