Lakewood Man Flees Howell Cop, Rams Through Canadian Border: PD

HOWELL – A Lakewood man was captured after fleeing a Howell police pursuit and, hours later, ramming through the Canadian border where he fled on foot, police said.

The incident began on Friday at 10:45 p.m. after Howell Patrolman Travis Horton attempted to stop a driver who was driving erratically on Route 9 northbound.

After the officer flashed his emergency lights, the driver refused to stop and continued to drive recklessly, police said.

Horton believed the driver was intoxicated and he pursued the driver, but he didn't engage in a high-speed chase, police said.

The pursuit continued on Route 9 through Freehold, Manalapan, Marlboro, Old Bridge and Sayreville before routing to the Garden State Parkway northbound, police said.

After reaching mile marker 125, the siren in Horton’s vehicle failed. As per state policy, the siren must be activated during a pursuit, police said.

As a result, Horton had to end the pursuit at approximately 11:05 pm. He was the only unit involved at the time.

The identity of the driver was determined to be 41-year-old Lakewood resident Josef Bartol, police said. Criminal and motor vehicle complaints were signed against Bartol and he was entered as wanted into the national police database.

Several hours later, Howell police were notified by Canadian authorities and the US Customs and Border Protection that Bartol was in their custody after he rammed through the Canadian border and fled on foot into Canada, police said.

He was ultimately captured and is in Canadian custody.

Canadian authorities said Bartol had claimed to have murdered his parents, which wasn't believed. Canadian authorities believe there’s a mental health issue with Bartol.

Bartol was expected to be turned over to the US Customs and Border Protection agency.