Driver Hit Wall Police Car, Then Drove Away: Police

WALL, NJ — A Spring Lake Heights man was arrested and charged after he hit a police patrol car, then fled the scene, Wall Township Police said.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. on Jan. 2, according to police.

Ptlm. Joshua Wheeler was conducting a traffic stop on New Bedford Road near Wall Church Road when police said a black Toyota Rav4 collided with his patrol vehicle and fled the scene. No injuries were reported in connection to the incident.

Following the crash, investigators found that the Rav4 had been taken without the owner's consent at the time of the accident, according to police.

On Jan. 13, police identified Jose Duarte, 38, of Spring Lake Heights, as the vehicle’s driver.

Duarte voluntarily appeared at Wall Township Police Headquarters on Jan. 15, where police said he was charged with unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, resulting in property damage, along with several motor vehicle summonses.

Duarte was processed and released on a complaint summons, police said.