HOWELL — An incident that began with an allegedly fraudulent payment for an iPad turned into a police pursuit through several municipalities and resulted in the arrest of a man from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Police said the July 2 incident began at about 3 p.m. when Ernest Jones, 47, entered the Best Buy electronics store on Route 9 south in Howell and tried to purchase an iPad by using a fraudulent credit card and a fraudulent Ohio driver’s license.
Authorities said the use of those items prompted Best Buy employees to call police.
Police said that soon after Jones attempted to purchase the iPad, he was seen entering a 2006 Infinity with a Georgia license plate, accelerating and driving in a reckless manner on Route 9 south. Police said officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but could not do so.
Patrolman Nicholas Bondarew said that at about 3:20 p.m., he spotted the Infinity traveling east on Interstate 195. Jones subsequently left the interstate, exited to Route 9 south and turned into the Winston Park residential area of Howell.
As officers tried to close in on the vehicle,
Jones attempted to run down an officer, but did not strike the officer, and the pursuit continued, according to police.
Bondarew said Jones drove across lawns and eventually got back onto Interstate 195, this time heading west. Jones continued driving on the highway for several miles before stopping in Upper Freehold Township.
By that time it was about 4 p.m. and Jones was subdued by a Howell police K-9 officer and placed under arrest. Police said Jones sustained minor injuries and was treated by the Howell Police EMS unit.
Jones was charged with the possession and use of fraudulent credit cards, attempting to flee from police in a motor vehicle, attempted assault on a law enforcement officer, unlawful possession of a weapon and several motor vehicle violations.
Police said Jones was found to be in possession of several fraudulent credit cards and was placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, on $300,000 bail.
No police officers or civilians were injured during the incident. Members of the New Jersey State Police assisted Howell police during the pursuit and arrest of Jones.