A man suspected of stealing a truck from a Lakewood resident was arrested last night following a police pursuit in Jackson, police say.

At approximately 11:27 pm  last night, various Jackson Police Department Officers assisted Lakewood Police Department Officers with attempting to locate a Honda Ridgeline (stolen from a Frum resident) that was just involved in a pursuit within Lakewood Township near the Jackson Township border. This comes after Lakewood Police attempted to apprehend the driver last week, but reportedly lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later the officers involved lost sight of the vehicle, which was now believed to be in Jackson.

A short time later, Officer William Simon located the vehicle on Spectrum Court, just off of South Cooks Bridge Road in Jackson. Officer Simon attempted to stop the vehicle however the driver refused to stop and pulled away at a high rate of speed.

The driver then made a couple aggressive braking maneuvers attempting to have Officer Simon’s patrol vehicle strike the rear of the Honda Ridgeline. At this time it was confirmed the Honda involved had fictitious license plates on it and the vehicle was believed to be stolen.

A short time later, the driver of the Honda came to a stop and a 31 year old female passenger from Lakewood exited the vehicle. The Honda then pulled away at a high rate of speed and the driver turned off the vehicle’s headlights. The pursuit was then ended and the female was located on South Cooks Bridge Road near New Central Avenue. While checking for the vehicle, Chief Kunz located the Honda unoccupied on Johnson Lane, off Bennetts Mills Road.

At this point Jackson Police Department Officers were assisted by Howell Police Department K-9 Officer Bondarew and his Patrol Dog Jugo. After an extensive search of the Frank Applegate Road and Olivia Way area, the suspect was located in the backyard area of a residence on Frank Applegate Road.

Arrested, was 47 year old Eric Conover of Oak Drive in Jackson. Mr. Conover was charged in Jackson Township with eluding police, receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of a weapon, certain persons not to have weapons and defiant trespassing. Numerous motor vehicle summons were also issued to Mr. Conover. Jackson Municipal Court Judge Daniel Sahin set Mr. Conover’s bail at $50,000.

The 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicle was confirmed stolen and was later recovered by Lakewood Police Department. Additional charges were also prepared by Lakewood Police Department related to the initial pursuit.

Mr. Conover was later incarcerated at the Ocean County Jail.

Additional details released by Detective Greg Staffordmsith from the LPD:

On November 25th at approx 8pm, Officer Steve Kowaleski responded to North Lake Drive regarding an auto theft.

Upon a arrival, he was advised by the victim, a 39 year old Lakewood man, that he had just stopped by to check on some work that was recently completed.

While inside the home, someone stole his grey 2014 Honda Ridgeline. At the time, he could not provide any information regarding the suspect or last known direction of travel.

On December 9th, the vehicle was observed traveling south on Route 9. However, by the time the information was received by the police department the vehicle was not longer in the area.

On December 10th at approximately 4:15 pm, Officer Justin Pederson was dispatched to the area of Williams Street and Sylvan Court for a vehicle matching the description of the stolen Honda.

As the Officer approached, the driver of the Honda fled the area at a high rate of speed. Due to pedestrian and other motor vehicle traffic, the Officer could not pursue the suspect.

Late last night Officer Leonard Nieves Jr. observed the stolen vehicle in the area of High Point.

A vehicle pursuit ensued which was eventually terminated at the Jackson border.

A short time later, Jackson PD located the vehicle abandoned in a wooded area. The driver, fled the area on foot, however he left his female passenger behind.

While Lakewood Detective Craig Fink and Officer Steve Nickens were speaking with the passenger, Jackson Police with assistance from Howell and OCSD K-9’s units, located 47 year old Eric Conver of Jackosn in the wooded area near the abandoned stolen vehicle.

It was later determined that the female passenger was not involved and therefor not charged.

In addition to Charges lodged against Conover by Jackson PD, Officer Leonard Nieves Jr. charged him with 2nd Degree Eluding as well as numerous citations. He was lodged at OCJ after failing to post $125,000 bail.

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