Last week, TLS reported about a police pursit which ended with the suspectd being apprehended in Lakewood. The Brick Police Department today offered more details on the story, which left an officer injured after being dragged by the suspect’s vehicle.

On Thursday, April 18, a vehicle driven by Ronald DeFreitas was stopped by Brick Police in the parking lot of Drum Point School, 41 Drum Point Road, for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Ptl. Mark Nixon, badge # 209, a Brick Township Police Officer in uniform, had initiated the stop, and Sgt. Talty, badge # 112, assisted Ptl. Nixon on the stop. With an arrest warrant out for th driver, Ptl. Nixon re-approached to place him under arrest.

As Ptl. Nixon advised DeFreitas to exit the vehicle, DeFreitas reached to put the vehicle in drive and flee. Ptl. Nixon reached into the vehicle in an attempt to prevent him from doing so, but DeFreitas was able to put the vehicle in drive and began to proceed eastbound in the parking lot, rapidly accelerating.

Ptl. Nixon who was partially in the vehicle while attempting to prevent DeFreitas from fleeing, had latched onto the driver’s side door after the vehicle began dragging him.

DeFreitas traveled for approximately 250 feet at a high rate of speed dragging Ptl. Nixon. DeFreitas then abruptly made a left turn causing Ptl. Nixon to be thrown from the vehicle onto the pavement. DeFreitas then drove over a curb and across the grass of school property before fleeing eastbound on Drum Point Road.

Although injured, Ptl. Nixon returned to his vehicle and he and Sgt. Talty began to look for DeFreitas. A vehicle description was put out by dispatch. DeFreitas was located by Ptl. DeMaio #194 driving at a high rate of speed on Mantoloking Road eastbound. Ptl. DeMaio attempted to stop the vehicle with negative results. A lengthy pursuit through multiple jurisdictions ensued at rates of speed above 90 M.P.H. with DeFreitas violating multiple title 39 Chapter 4 motor vehicle provisions causing a risk to the public, police say.

At that point, the pursuit was terminated and a BOLO (Be on the Lookout Bulletin) was issued to surrounding towns for DeFreitas and the Ford F-150 described above.

Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was located by the Lakewood Police Department, unoccupied on Airport Road. A search of the area was conducted and DeFreitas was located near the ramp of the Garden State Parkway. DeFreitas resisted arrest however was placed into custody without further incident.

Following the apprehension of DeFreitas, Ptl. Nixon was transported by ambulance to Jersey Shore University Medical Center-Neptune, NJ to be treated for his injuries.

DeFreitas was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault by Auto, Eluding, Resisting Arrest and multiple Motor Vehicle Charges. $150,000 no 10% bail was placed on DeFreitas. DeFreitas was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted by Ptl.Lampiasi of the Brick Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Additional charges are pending. [TLS]