Foot chase on Rt. 18 ends in
arrest of man
EAST BRUNSWICK — Charges including heroin possession and driving a stolen car were lodged against a Jersey City man who ran from a police officer who stopped his car on Route 18.
Township police said they received a radio transmission shortly before 5 p.m. Aug. 12 to be on the lookout for a stolen 2002 Ford wagon, whose occupants were suspects in a hit-and-run accident in North Brunswick and were also believed to be involved in credit card fraud.
Shortly after the alert, East Brunswick patrolmen Jeffrey Marino and Martin O’Neil saw the car allegedly passing cars illegally on Route 18.
After being ordered to step out of the car, its driver, Derrick Ellis, 40, ran south on Route 18 south, according to a police report. Marino followed and a foot pursuit began. Ellis ran across the highway and jumped the divider, falling onto the northbound lanes and injuring his ankle, police said.
Marino then subdued and arrested him.
A passenger in Ellis’ vehicle, Jeffrey Watson, 39, also of Jersey City, did not resist and was placed under arrest by O’Neil and charged with possession of stolen property and credit card theft.
Inside the vehicle, police said they found fraudulent credit cards in various names, as well as other fraudulent identification.
Police said they also found a glassine envelope containing heroin in Ellis’ possession after his arrest.
Ellis, who was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division, for treatment of a broken foot, was charged with possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, credit card fraud, resisting arrest and on warrants from other jurisdictions.
After being released from the hospital, Ellis was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Watson was also held on $25,000 bail.

