BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A Somerset County man was arrested for allegedly stealing two cars and crashing both of them, according to Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Thomas Chirichella.
On February 24, at around 9:21 p.m. Branchburg Township Police responded to an area restaurant for a report of a stolen vehicle. Subsequently while on radar patrol an officer observed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 28 at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, but discontinued the pursuit for safety reasons as the vehicle sped out of sight, Chirichella said.
A short time later investigating Branchburg police were notified by the Flemington Police Department that the stolen vehicle was found overturned in the retention drainage area located near the center of the Flemington Circle, Chirichella said.
A joint investigation with the Flemington Police Department subsequently identified Nicholas Aiello, 26, of Branchburg Township as being a person of interest. It was also determined that the stolen vehicle was the car speeding on Route 28 which had failed to stop for the Branchburg officer, Chirichella said.
During the investigation it was learned that Aiello had taken a bottle containing 60 Alprazolam prescription pills from a Branchburg residence, Chirichella said.
Then on March 15, at around 10:22 a.m. the Branchburg Township Police Department was notified of a motor vehicle theft which had taken place at an area convenience store located on Route 28. The investigating officer immediately broadcast a description of the stolen vehicle and within minutes the stolen vehicle was observed by the officer travelling north on River Road. The stolen vehicle sped away out of the officer’s view, Chirichella said.
While traveling on Station Road the same officer located the stolen vehicle which had crashed into the Station Road Bridge. The driver, later identified as Aiello, was observed attempting to run from the area but was ordered to stop. He complied and was taken into custody without further incident. He was then transported to an area hospital for treatment for minor injuries which he sustained during the crash, Chirichella said.
Aiello was charged with third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree eluding, third-degree theft of a controlled dangerous substance, and third-degree receiving stolen property.
Flemington Brough Police Department also charged Aiello with theft and receiving stolen property, police said.
After being treated for his injury’s, Aiello was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing, Chirichella said.
Anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Branchburg Police Department at 908-526-3830 or via the STOPit app.
The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
