The Alternative Press

An Egg Harbor Township man is in custody and lucky to be alive today, after he led local police on a high speed extremely dangerous chase on Rte. 15.  At 9:30 am Newton Police broadcasted a request for assistance in attempting to locate a stolen motor vehicle from their jurisdiction.

According to Newton authorities, a 2011 silver Buick Regal was stolen from the U-Save Service Station on Sparta Avenue a short time before.  Sgt. Neil Spidaletto who was on routine patrol at the time positioned his patrol vehicle on the shoulder of southbound Rte. 15  in the vicinity of the 12 mile marker and began to monitor the traffic.

Several minutes later, the sergeant observed the suspect vehicle traveling south.  The sergeant was able to get behind the vehicle and confirm the license plate number as the stolen car.

The sergeant activated his emergency overhead lights and siren signaling the suspect vehicle to pull to the right and stop.  The Buick did pull onto the shoulder and slow dramatically but then quickly accelerated and entered back into traffic.

The weather conditions were dry and hot.  Traffic conditions were, light to moderate.  The suspect vehicle reached speeds estimated to be in excess of 130 mph.  Traveling at such a recklessly high rate of speed, the Buick cut in and out of traffic, passed vehicles on the right as it attempted to out run the patrol vehicle.

Due to the excessive high rate of speed, the sergeant terminated the pursuit but continued to travel south.  The vehicle was found a short time later abandoned in the entrance to Dover Dodge on Rte. 15 south.

Law Enforcement Officers from; Sparta Township, Jefferson Township, Rockaway Township, Wharton Borough and Newton established a perimeter and began searching with the assistance of a K-9 Unit from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect, 33-year-old Daniel M. Cirigiano was located on the property of the New Jersey Department of Transportation Yard approximately, ¼ of a mile from where the Buick was abandoned.  Cirigiano was hiding in the bed of a state pick-up truck when a foreman called police.

Cirigiana was arrested and charged by Sparta Police with; Eluding a Law Enforcement Officer (A Crime of the Second Degree), Reckless Driving and numerous Motor Vehicle Summonese.  His Bail has been set at $45,000.00 no 10% option.  He was then turned over to Newton Police.