A Lakewood man was arrested late Thursday night after allegedly fleeing from police during a traffic stop and running into a wooded area, with officers later using a department drone to locate his passenger.
The incident began at about 10:55 p.m. on May 1, when a Lakewood police officer attempted to stop a vehicle on Cedarbridge Avenue after observing multiple motor vehicle violations, police said.
According to police, the vehicle initially slowed as the officer initiated the stop, but then sped off. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle before terminating the chase for safety reasons.
The vehicle stopped a short distance away, and two occupants got out and ran into a nearby wooded area, police said. Officers pursued them on foot and apprehended the driver, identified as 41-year-old Evan Cruz of Lakewood, after a short chase. Police said the officer detected signs of alcohol impairment during the encounter.
Cruz was taken into custody without further incident. A search of the vehicle later turned up multiple open containers of alcohol, according to police.
Police said the second occupant, identified as 33-year-old Juan Carlos Ramirez-Hernandez of Lakewood, was quickly located in the wooded area with the help of the department’s drone technology. He was also taken into custody without incident.
Cruz was charged with second-degree eluding, obstruction, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, refusal to submit to chemical testing, and several motor vehicle violations. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending court proceedings.
Ramirez-Hernandez was charged with obstruction and resisting arrest by flight and was released pending a future court appearance.
Lakewood Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer said the incident underscored both the danger of fleeing from police and the department’s use of drone technology in active incidents.
“This incident highlights the dangers associated with fleeing from law enforcement,” Meyer said. “Equally important, it demonstrates how our drone program continues to enhance officer safety and effectiveness. Within minutes, officers were able to locate a suspect who fled into a dark, wooded area — something that would have taken significantly longer using traditional methods. This technology allows us to resolve situations more quickly, safely, and with greater precision.”
