Holmdel Police End Search For Two Occupants Of Stolen Car

HOLMDEL, NJ — Police say the two men they were searching for earlier Thursday after they and a third man crashed a stolen car on Middletown Road appear to have left the area.

One man has been arrested on unrelated charges, said Lt. Michael Hughes Thursday afternoon.

According to a police update the man arrested was identified as Alterquie Jones, 48, of Irvington, police said in a social media post.

Jones was found to have two active warrants for his arrest. Additionally, he was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon (knife) and certain persons not to have weapons, police said.

Jones was processed at Police Headquarters and then transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, police said.

The remaining suspects are no longer believed to be in the area and detectives continue to investigate this matter, according to police.

If residents have any surveillance footage that may be beneficial, contact Det. Kret at 732-946-4400, ext. 1713.

Thursday morning there was a heavy police presence in the area of Middletown Road as police looked for the two companions of the man arrested.

The men were driving a silver 2019 BMW that was stolen from Orange in Essex County.

Hughes said department protocol is to assign officers to "hot spots" car thieves may target.

He said the officer spotted the BMW as it came into Holmdel, thus heading off any car thefts here.

When the occupants saw the officer, they fled in the car but crashed it on Middletown Road. They then fled on foot. The one man was apprehended.

Hughes said police know who owns the stolen car, but the car is being held at the moment for a forensic investigation.

Earlier today police said there was no reason to believe the individuals posed a threat to residents, and Hughes confirmed the persons were believed to have left the area.

The incident began at about 2 a.m. Thursday when a Holmdel officer saw the BMW exit the Garden State Parkway onto Red Hill Road.

The vehicle had been reported stolen from Orange and its driver immediately fled in the car upon seeing the officer. He then crashed it on Middletown Road, near the intersection of Crawfords Corner Road, police said.

Three men then fled the vehicle and ran on foot into a wooded area between Middletown Road and Crawfords Corner Road, according to police, with the one man caught.

Holmdel officers, with assistance from officers from Middletown police, set up a perimeter and began searching the area between Crawfords Corner Road, Middletown Road, and Bell Works earlier on Thursday.