A 67-year-old man from South Toms River has been charged with multiple offenses after leading Manchester police on a high-speed chase on Tuesday. Thomas Stevens was arrested after a pursuit that began with a report of a possible kidnapping at a Wawa convenience store on Route 70.
According to Capt. Albert Vega of the Manchester Police Department, officers responded to a call around 3 p.m. about a woman being forced into a vehicle. Officer Brian Volk quickly located the suspect vehicle, a black Chevy Tahoe, and attempted to pull it over. However, Stevens refused to cooperate and fled the scene.
A motor vehicle pursuit was authorized due to the suspected kidnapping, and officers chased Stevens through Berkeley Township and South Toms River. Stevens was finally stopped in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township and arrested after refusing to cooperate with officers.
During the investigation, police determined that the woman in the vehicle was Stevens’ wife and was not being held against her will. Stevens was charged with obstruction of justice, eluding, resisting arrest, and hindering his own apprehension. He was released on a summons and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.