Cranford Police Nab Vehicle Burglary Suspect After Car, Foot Chase

Cranford police chased a vehicle burglary suspect from Myrtle Street into Roselle until the suspect's vehicle struck a telephone pole and rolled over early Monday morning. Then an officer chased the man on foot, apprehending him shortly after.

Police responded to Munsee Drive in Cranford at 1:23 a.m. to investigate a reported vehicle burglary in progress. As the suspect's vehicle had left the scene before officers arrived, a witness' account led them to search the area for a black Volkswagen. Officer Derek Farbanec found the vehicle turning onto Myrtle Street towards Roselle and gave chase.

He followed and attempted to stop the vehicle, which accelerated to flee into Roselle on Amsterdam Avenue. Farbanec pursued the suspect on First Avenue and Gordon Street in Roselle before terminating the pursuit for safety reasons in a residential neighborhood. A short time later he heard a loud crash and followed the noise one-to-two blocks away to Aldene Avenue, where he saw that the vehicle had struck a telephone pole and rolled over. Michael Boyd, 39, from Roselle exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but was apprehended after a short foot chase.

Boyd was charged with burglary, theft, eluding, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. Alleged proceeds of the vehicle burglary on Munsee Drive were recovered at the scene.