Berkeley Man Lied About Getting Carjacked In North Jersey: Police

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — A Bayville man told Berkeley Heights police that he was carjacked in Newark. He was later charged with filing a false report, police said.

William Richards, of Bayville, was involved in an accident Wednesday in Berkeley Heights, police said. His vehicle had crashed into a wooded area.

Richards told police he was carjacked in Newark earlier that evening, according to authorities. The Bayville man said the carjacker drove him to Berkeley Heights, crashed and fled into a wooded area with a handgun, police said.

BHPD began searching for the carjacker. Police said they investigated Richards's report and found inconsistencies. BHPD determined the carjacking never occurred and called off the search.

Berkeley Heights police sent out a Facebook message on Wednesday that they were looking for a suspect who fled a vehicle. Several neighboring agencies helped investigate, including officers from New Providence, Watchung, Warren, Union County Sheriff's K9 and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit.

Berkeley Heights police announced an update Thursday that Richards was arrested. Richards was also charged with several motor vehicle violations, police said. He was taken to Union County Jail.

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