'Erratic' Driver Wanted Following Police Chase, Crash In Garwood

GARWOOD, NJ — An "erratic" driver is wanted by Garwood Police following a chase and crash early Wednesday morning.

Just before 4 a.m., Garwood police got a call about a Silver Dodge Caravan with a Utah license plate driving erratically in the Garwood Mall Parking Lot at 300 South Ave. before heading southbound on East Street, said Garwood Police Chief James Wright.

When Garwood Police Officers tried to walk up to the van, found idling at the intersection of Hazel Avenue and East Street, it drove away, said Wright.

Police put on their lights and sirens and chased the van as it continued "to drive erratically swerving back and forth on Center Street and refusing to stop," said Wright.

Police called off the chase at Mountain Avenue and Orchard Street in Westfield when the van sped up to an unsafe speed, said Wright.

The van was found shortly after by Westfield Police crashed on Elm Street with no one inside, said Wright.

The van has a Utah Registration V900ZA, is owned by Enterprise Rental Car, and was being stored at a lot on South Avenue in Garwood before being taken without consent, said Wright.

Anyone with information that can further this ongoing investigation is encouraged to notify
Detective Captain Douglas Stoffer at 908-789-1500.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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