UPDATE: Man on Run in Manalapan Still at Large, Identity Known

UPDATE, Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m.:

Manalapan Township Police Chief Chris Marsala has confirmed that the identity of the man who assaulted a Florence police officer and stole a motor vehicle is known. The suspect is a 27-year-old white man who is 5'7", 160 lbs., with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

When a Monroe police officer attempted to stop the car in his Township the pursuit began. The stolen vehicle was later located in the New Beginning development a short time later by an Englishtown police officer, Marsala said.

Monroe police requested the involvement of the New Jersey State Police Department and they provided aerial and K9 support in pursuit of the man.

Police believed the suspect somewhere within a large wooded area between Iron Ore Road, Mt. Vernon Road, and Dey Grove Road in Manalapan. At around 4 p.m., a resident reported that she saw a man fitting the description of the subject behind her McCafferty Road home, according to police. Additional sightings of the man on McCafferty Road were made as well as some sightings as far away as Millhurst Road.

At around 6 p.m. on Wednesday the New Jersey State Police stopped the sue of air and ground units, according to Marsala. Manalapan Police also assisted in the search of the man, and he is currently still at large; there are no investigations pending, Marsala said.

"Manalapan Police will remain in the area during overnight hours," Marsala said. "Residents are advised to be vigilant as always and immediately report any suspicious activity or persons."

Deputy Mayor Jordan Maskowitz, the liaison to the Manalapan Police Department, said that Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School was immediately notified of the situation after police were aware of the search.

Maskowitz also said that the Manalapan police believe the man has stolen another car and is no longer in the area.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ORIGINAL STORY POSTED AT 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27:

A man is on the run from police after assaulting a Florence police officer Wednesday morning, police said.

The man was seen in a stolen motor vehicle in Monroe Township at around 10:30 a.m. and was heading into Manalapan Township. The stolen car was later found in a residential area of Manalapan, police indicated. According to a resident, the car was located and towed away from New Beginnings Crossing in Englishtown.

Currently the New Jersey State Police and Manalapan, Monroe and Englishtown police departments are searching for the man in the area. A foot search with K9 units from the New Jersey State Police is being conducted in the area; the New Jersey State Police are also assisting with their aviation unit, according to Captain Michael Fountain of the Manalapan Police Department.

New Jersey State Police spokesman Sgt. Adam Grossman said that the state police are merely helping with the manhunt with their K9 and aviation unit and that this is not their investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be updated to this story as it becomes available.