JACKSON – A couple high-speed chases were aborted but the shoplifters eventually arrested Saturday.
Jackson Township Police Officer Stephen Cilento responded to the report of a shoplifting at Jackson Premium Outlets around 5:49 p.m. Dec. 8. The suspects reportedly fled in a silver Nissan.
Cilento heard a revving car engine and screeching tires as he approached Cassville Road, where he saw the silver Nissan speeding and traveling the wrong way as other vehicles swerved to avoid a crash. Cilento pursued by terminated pursuit due to heavy traffic.
Jackson Officer Kevin Chesney then saw the vehicle on West Veterans Highway, again going 80 mph in a 50-mph zone. He pursued but terminated pursuit due to safety concerns.
In the meantime, Cilento went to Jackson Premium Outlets, to the store where the alleged shoplifting took place. An investigation revealed the operator of the vehicle. Lakewood Police were able to identify the vehicle on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Jackson officers Kevin Chesney and Joe Candido went to that Lakewood address, took the driver into custody and seized the vehicle for a search warrant application.
Dante Holly, 28, of Lakewood, was charged with eluding/resisting arrest, speeding, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to maintain lane, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, improper passing and failure to signal. He was processed and taken to Ocean County Jail.
Jackson Police said the investigation is ongoing and may result in further complaints.
