Eluding Incident and Motor Vehicle Accident (Arrest) – On Saturday, October 4, 2014, at 10:31 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota was traveling eastbound on Lacey Road approaching the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9 when he observed a 2002 Cadillac run through the red light and travel north on Rt 9. Officer Slota attempted to stop the vehicle using his lights and siren which prompted the vehicle to slow down and begin to pull over as if it were going to stop near Game Farm Road. Rather than stop, the Cadillac accelerated to a high rate of speed, disregarding the safety of other traffic in the area. The Cadillac was observed traveling in a reckless manner, weaving in and out of traffic, while increasing its speed. As the vehicle passed the area of Rt 9 and First Street, it was tracked on radar in excess of 89 mph in the 45 mph zone. Officer Slota lost view of the fleeing vehicle as it passed the Walmart. The Cadillac was found to have spun out of control ultimately colliding with a utility pole before Laurel Boulevard on Rt 9. Evidence at the scene indicated that the vehicle, which was traveling north, spun several times, struck a utility pole, and ultimately came to rest in the opposite lane facing southeast.
While approaching the crash scene, Officer Slota observed a black male exiting the Cadillac and fleeing into the woods. That section of Rt 9 was temporarily closed due to the damaged Cadillac blocking the southbound lane and considerable debris strewn throughout the roadway.
Moments later, Officer George Resetar observed the suspect driver, later identified as Edward A. Poli, walking out of the woods northbound onto Laurel Boulevard. Upon being confronted by Officer Resetar, Edward A. Poli initially provided Officer Resetar with a false name to avoid detection.
Officer Slota was able to positively identify 31-year-old Edward A. Poli as the subject who had exited the motor vehicle and fled the scene of the collision. Officers then recognized Edward A. Poli as a wanted subject discussed in the officers’ daily shift briefing earlier in the evening. In the shift briefing, E. Poli, formerly of Little Egg Harbor, was discussed as being wanted on several warrants including one for escaping a New Jersey correctional facility (halfway house). Edward A. Poli was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. Although no injuries were evident, due to the severity of the accident, the Lanoka Harbor First Aid Squad was called to transport E. Poli to the hospital, but E. Poli refused medical treatment.
Edward A. Poli, who eventually reported his address as 1031 Newark Avenue, Apt. 3015 of the Heritage Apartments in Forked River, was subsequently charged with second degree Eluding with bail set at $150,000 with no 10% option. E. Poli was also charged with Hindering Apprehension along with numerous motor vehicle violations, including: Failure to Observe Signal, Speeding +44 mph above the speed limit, Failure to Maintain Lane, Reckless Driving, Suspended Driver, Unregistered Vehicle, and Uninsured Motor Vehicle. E. Poli was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of the bail.
Edward A. Poli was found to also have the following active warrants for his arrest:
1. NJ Department of Corrections
Offense: Escape
No Bail
2. Camden County Prosecutors Office
Offense: Escape
No Bail
3. Cobb County, Georgia
Offense: Failure to Appear
Original charge violation of GA controlled substance act