MONROE: Man wanted in kidnapping

Resident accused of driving away with 15-month-old baby

By: Scott Morgan
   HIGHTSTOWN — Borough police are searching for a Monroe Township man who they said led them on a chase with a 15-month-old baby in his car Monday around midnight.
   The baby was later returned safely to its mother, but the abductor, Raymond Powell Jr., 31, the baby’s uncle, is wanted by police for motor vehicle theft, eluding police, kidnapping and several motor vehicle violations.
   According to police, Mr. Powell is wanted in connection with a late-night incident that began in East Windsor and spilled over into Hightstown.
   Police reported that a woman jumped out of a van and flagged down Hightstown Patrol Officer Benjamin Miller as he passed by in his patrol car. The woman, whom police did not identify, told the officer that Mr. Powell, her brother-in-law, was threatening to beat her with a baseball bat. As the officer approached the van, police said, Mr. Powell, who is wanted already on more than $10,000 in outstanding warrants, fled the scene — with the baby in the back seat.
   The police report did not indicate the street on which the incident took place.
   Police reported that Mr. Powell led them on a chase that "got too crazy," according to Detective Glen Moore, so they broke it off. Later in the night, police said, Mr. Powell returned the baby to the woman, his sister-in-law.
   But Mr. Powell didn’t stick around and police are still looking for him.
   Later that day, Monroe Township police recovered the van on Route 33 parked by the Holland Greenhouse about a mile and a half from the West Windsor border, Lt. Paul Banach said.
   "One of our patrols spotted the abandoned vehicle," Lt. Banach said.
   He said a woman in the area told police officers she saw the driver leave the scene on a bicycle.
   Mr. Powell is described as standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 130 pounds. He has black eyes and brown hair, a moustache and a tribal-style eagle tattoo on his right calf. His address is listed as 32 Bently Road, Monroe.
   Police ask that anyone with information contact their local police department or call the Hightstown Police Department at (609) 448-1234.
— Staff Writer Al Wicklund contributed to this report.