Target Shoplifter Ran Into A Bergen County Brook After Police Chase: Cops

PARAMUS, NJ — When police responded to a report of a theft Target store in Paramus on Wednesday, one of the suspects attempted to hide in a brook, they said.

Chief Robert Guidetti said that on Wednesday, just before noon, officers headed to the store in Bergen Town Center.

Two suspects, identified as Christopher White, 47, and Tuwana Grant-Harrison, 32, both of Paterson, fled the scene in a black Nissan before police arrived, they said.

Officer Diego Cruz saw the car heading north on Forest Avenue at the intersection of Howland Avenue. When he tried to make a motor vehicle stop, the car fled north.

Cruz didn't pursue the car further and lost sight of it as it entered Oradell, police said.

But then police saw the vehicle re-enter Paramus.

Moments later, a caller reported a black Nissan had crashed into a tree on Burlington Road in Paramus.

Cruz responded and found Tuwana Grant-Harrison seated on a nearby lawn, police said.

The driver, Christopher White, fled on foot, police said.

Lt. Matt Parrello and Emergency Service Unit Officer Matt Orefice found White submerged in a foot of water in the Van Saun Mill Brook, trying to evade them, police said.

He was removed from the brook and transported to Valley Hospital for evaluation due to potential hypothermia, police said.

White faces multiple charges, including:

• Shoplifting by ticket switching
• Eluding police in a motor vehicle
• Resisting arrest by flight
• Possession of MDMA (ecstasy) – seven multicolored pills
• Possession of stolen credit cards (three cards)

He was processed and remains in custody pending a court appearance, police said.

Grant-Harrison was arrested and charged with shoplifting by ticket switching, a fourth-degree crime, police said. She was processed and given a court date of March 14, police said.