Car Flees To Avoid Drug Charges In Manchester

Four people were arrested March 30 after they were pursued by Manchester police.

Lakewood residents Jermeler Sample, 25; Enrique Santiago, 20; Diana Mendez, 24, were charged with possession of marijuana and released on summonses, police said.

The driver, 36-year-old Brick Township resident Jacques Johnson, had numerous outstanding warrants in excess of $2,600. Johnson also had a suspended driver’s license and the vehicle was unregistered.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., Officer Michael Guarino observed a vehicle with a license plate light out on Route 70, police said. As he attempted to catch up to the vehicle in order to conduct a motor vehicle stop, the vehicle rapidly accelerated onto County Road 571.

The vehicle was clocked in excess of 90 mph prior to abruptly turning onto Maplewood Street. The vehicle then pulled into a driveway, and two males fled on foot into the neighborhood, police said.

The four remaining occupants were identified and detained. Officers canvassed the neighborhood and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit assisted in a search that revealed negative results for the two outstanding occupants.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana, cocaine, unidentified prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia.

All four occupants were placed under arrest and the vehicle was seized pending further investigation, police said.

Johnson also was charged with obstructing the administration of law, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and numerous traffic offenses.

He was transported to Ocean County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail.

The identities of the two other occupants are still not known. The investigation is ongoing.