By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
U.S. Marshals helped police capture a Trenton man who allegedly tried to elude an officer by going the wrong way on Route 1, according to police.
The incident started at 8 p.m. Jan. 28 as Patrolman Michael Leung was conducting radar patrol at Route 1 and Independence Way, Sgt. James Ryan said in a press release last week.
Mr. Leung spotted a black Lexus 340 traveling north at 80 mph and tried to pull the vehicle over, according to Sgt. Ryan.
The vehicle then accelerated and began weaving in and out of traffic, reaching speeds of around 100 mph, according to Sgt. Ryan.
The vehicle then turned off Route 1 at the Raymond Road jughandle, allegedly to hide from the officer, according to police.
Mr. Leung spotted the vehicle again and followed it north on Route 1. The officer observed two children in the back seat of the vehicle, according to police.
The Lexus pulled into the Target plaza parking lot and returned to Route 1 north, heading south in the northbound lanes, according to police.
Mr. Leung stopped the pursuit because of the reckless nature of the chase and concern for the children in the car as well as the public, according to police.
The driver of the Lexus, identified as Harry Harrington Jr., 43, of Trenton, was apparently a known gang member with several outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions, according to police.
Municipal Court Judge Michael Dowgin issued an arrest warrant charging Mr. Harrington with eluding apprehension, according to police.
Police then contacted the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to assist in Mr. Harrington’s capture.
The unit tracked Mr. Harrington down in Trenton on Feb. 3 and took him into custody following a brief struggle, according to police.
Mr. Harrington was lodged in the Mercer County Correction Center in lieu of bail, according to police.
”This gang member did not hesitate to endanger the lives of the public or the children that were with him,” police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in the release. “Officer Leung and the U.S. Marshals Task Force deserve special recognition in capturing this suspect. Their efforts prevented injury and took a dangerous person off the streets.”
