Safe Bandits Nabbed After Car Chase Through Mendham, Police Say

MENDHAM, NJ — Two men face burglary and drug charges after stealing from a Chester gas station and leading police on a chase through Mendham Township, according to authorities.

Early Sunday morning, a Mendham Township Police officer noticed a car with a license plate that had been altered to “disguise the actual characters of the plate,” officials said.

The officer attempted to pull the car over before it sped away to try and escape, police said.

The car eventually pulled into a residential driveway, slamming into a parked car and part of a home, authorities said.

Both the driver, Matthew Gehring, and a passenger, Justin Nowicki, each from Sayreville, unsuccessfully attempted to get away on foot before they were caught by police, according to officials.

Authorities discovered that the duo had stolen a locked safe from the Delta Gas Station in Chester Township, which was in their car, moments before the chase ensued, officials said. Also in their possession were burglary tools, scattered cash, and crack pipes, police added.

The pair is charged with possession of stolen property, eluding police, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of law, and criminal mischief.

Both were taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility to await court proceedings.