New Year's Eve House Party In Bedminster Ends With Arrests

Bedminster, NJ -- An underage Bedminster woman ran from the police at a New Year’s Eve party in township and was among many who were arrested as a result.

Jenna M. Brach, 20, of O’Brien Court in Bedminster Township was arrested and charged on Dec. 31 with escape, third degree and resisting arrest, a disorderly persons offense, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano announced today.

On New Year’s Eve, around 11:07 p.m. Peapack – Gladstone Police Department responded to a Hillcrest Avenue residence for a noise complaint.

When police arrived they saw more than 40 people at the home with beer cans and bottles thrown throughout the yard and driveway.

As soon as the party-goers saw police they began to yell “police run.” People then started running from the house and property, Soriano said.

Police from Bedminster Township and Far Hills were called in as back up to help at the scene.

William Howes, 18 and the son of the homeowners was found inside the home. He admitted this his parents were not home, police report.

Howes was charged in Municipal Court with maintaining a nuisance, a disorderly persons offense, a noise violation, possession/consumption of alcohol on private property and disturbing the peace.

The remaining people were gathered onto the front porch to find out their ages since some showed signs of intoxication, police report.

At this time, Brach who was in the group pushed her way past the officers and ran down the driveway barefooted in an attempt to flee.

“She was apprehended and while being escorted back to the porch she was flailing her arms and yelling incoherently in an attempt to break free,” Soriano said.

Brach was then handcuffed and placed in the rear seat of a patrol vehicle.

While officers continued gathering the names and ages of the other individuals, Brach escaped from the vehicle and ran into a nearby wooded area, according to the report.

During a search of the area, which was unsuccessful, Brach’s brother, Justin, was located passed out in the woods.

Justin Brach was charged with possession/consumption of alcohol on private property and disturbing the peace.

Police from Bernardsville Borough, Bernards Township and New Jersey Transit also responded to assist in the search of Jenna Brach.

A short time later, Jenna Brach was driven her back to the to Hillcrest Avenue home by a friend who lives in Bernardsville.

At 12:48 a.m., Jan. 1 Jenna Brach was transported to the Peapack- Gladstone Police Department. After processing, Brach was released on her own recognizance to the custody of her mother.

At 1:25 a.m. the N.J.S.P. Aviation Unit and the Warren Township K-9 Unit responded to search the wooded area for anyone who fled the party and were in need of medical attention due to alcohol consumption and the cold temperature.

At 1:41 a.m. police cleared the area with no one else being located.

There were also 13 other people at the party who were charged in Municipal Court with L.O. disturbing the peace.

Seven juveniles that were also present were turned over to their parent/guardian.