MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – A man from South Toms River found himself in serious trouble after a high-stakes police chase that began with what looked like a potential kidnapping at a Wawa. It all went down around 3 p.m. on September 3, when Manchester Police got a call about a woman reportedly being forced into a car at the Wawa on Route 70.
Officer Brian Volk wasted no time tracking down the vehicle, a 2005 Black Chevy Tahoe, and pulled it over on County Road 530. Behind the wheel was 67-year-old Thomas Stevens, but when asked for ID or an explanation, Stevens decided to take things from zero to chaotic real quick.
Instead of cooperating, Stevens sped off, leading to a full-blown police pursuit that stretched from Manchester through Berkeley and South Toms River. Even after Officer Volk and backup from Officer Jason Wiener tried to stop the car again, Stevens still wasn’t ready to give up.
Eventually, the chase came to an end in Berkeley Township’s Manitou Park, but Stevens wasn’t done resisting. Police say he refused to cooperate, so they had no choice but to take him into custody.
And the whole suspected kidnapping? Turns out, the woman in the car was Stevens’ wife, and she wasn’t being forced into the vehicle after all.
In the end, Stevens was hit with charges including Obstruction of Justice, Eluding, Resisting Arrest, and Hindering His Own Apprehension. He’s now set to appear in court, though he was released on a summons. Something tells us that’s going to be one awkward dinner conversation.
