By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
A Trenton man who allegedly stole a car and then led police on a chase on Brunswick Pike has been charged with multiple violations, including two counts of theft, resisting arrest, eluding police and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A police officer on patrol at 10:49 p.m. Jan. 31, noticed a car driven by Christopher Patterson, 41, of Trenton, only had its parking lights on. The officer stopped the car on Brunswick Pike near the Lawrence Lexus dealership, and asked the driver to present his credentials.
When he presented the driver’s license that belonged to the owner of the stolen car, the officer asked him if he had outstanding warrants or a suspended driver’s license. At that point, Mr. Patterson drove off and police pursued him into the parking lot at the Worldwide Carpet store on Brunswick Pike.
Police found the car in the rear parking lot, but the driver’s door was open and no one was behind the wheel. Police searched the area and found Mr. Patterson lying on the ground in a nearby wooded area. Police found a screwdriver next to him on the ground that was misshapen and that appeared to have been used in burglaries.
Mr. Patterson was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon when he was discovered to have a can of pepper spray, possession of a weapon by a convicted person, possession of burglary tools, and obstruction of the administration of law.
He was charged with theft for taking a car belonging to a resident of the Heritage Village senior citizens apartment complex on Brunswick Pike, as well as license plates from another car parked at the housing development.
Mr. Patterson, who had outstanding warrants, was taken to the Mercer County Corrections Center.