N.B. man charged after allegedly fleeing from S.B. police

BY DEANNAMcLAFFERTY Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A North Brunswick man was charged by South Brunswick Police after eluding a police vehicle on April 19, according to a press release.

John Andretta, 30, was driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata at 10:21 p.m. when Officer Ricardo Morreira attempted to stop him on Georges Road. The vehicle did not stop, and Morreira notified police dispatch of the situation.

According to police, the driver of the Hyundai called police dispatch around the same time and said he had an emergency at his home in North Brunswick and would not stop for police. Morreira turned off his lights and siren as the Hyundai pulled onto Route 130 northbound.

Several minutes later, three South Brunswick officers arrived at the North Brunswick residence where the Hyundai was already parked. Police said the officers asked about any emergency at the residence, but the homeowners appeared unaware of any problems.

After minutes of different occupants of the home exiting the residence, the homeowners’ son, Andretta, reportedly admitted to driving the car, according to investigators. Andretta explained that he knew he had outstanding warrants, and the car was unregistered. He told officers he was unsure if the police would just let him go and stop following the car if he said he had an emergency.

Andretta was charged with eluding police along with numerous motor vehicle violations. In addition, he had been wanted by the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department for failing to appear in court. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center.