Road rage incident leads E.B. police to car reported stolen
EAST BRUNSWICK — Police said a road rage incident involving the occupants of two vehicles on Route 18 last week resulted in the arrest of two suspects accused of driving a stolen vehicle.
Arrested and charged were Ahmed S. Richardson, 37, of Metuchen, and Christina M. Simons, 21, of Browns Mills, whom police caught up with in the parking lot of Chi Chi’s restaurant on Route 18, after the two allegedly fled the scene of the altercation.
Police said that at about 7:45 p.m. July 23, Patrolman Michael Plaskon was dispatched to the parking lot of Circuit City, Route 18, on a report of an alleged altercation between the occupants of two vehicles. According to police, while driving on Route 18 near Tices Lane, Richardson had gotten out of a Plymouth Neon, which had been reported stolen from a Holiday Inn Express in Carlstadt, and walked over to a vehicle occupied by two Highland Park residents. He allegedly attempted to punch a 25-year-old male occupant in the head, but missed and struck a 29-year-old female occupant in the shoulder.
Police said that, prior to Plaskon’s arrival, he had been notified that the Neon was reported stolen, and that it was fleeing the scene of the altercation. As Plaskon pulled into the lot, the two alleged victims told him the vehicle had fled to the vicinity of Chi Chi’s. An off-duty Jersey City police officer, Louis Vega, who had been watching the suspects, directed the patrolman to an adjacent business, Good Year Tires, where the two accused were observed running on foot, police said.
Plaskon caught up with them near Chi Chi’s and placed Simons under arrest. Richardson allegedly resisted, which police say resulted in a physical altercation with the officer. The officer used pepper spray on Richardson before subduing and arresting him.
In addition to the charges of possession of stolen property, the suspects were charged with resisting arrest. Richardson was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Simons, who was released on recognizance, was transported to St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, after complaining of shortness of breath. Police said she was eight months pregnant at the time of the arrest.