Police Chase Forces 3 East Brunswick Schools To Shelter In Place

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Staff and students at three East Brunswick schools had to shelter in place on Wednesday, while police was in a car chase, East Brunswick Police said Thursday.

East Brunswick High School, Irwin Elementary School and Central Elementary School were put on a brief shelter-in-place Wednesday afternoon, as police pursued a suspect vehicle nearby.

"At no time were any students or staff involved," Superintendent Victor Valeski told the community.

Around 2:26 p.m. on Wednesday, patrolman Ryan Welch was patrolling the area of Rt. 18 near Tices Lane when he saw a white Honda with fake license plates, police said.

Welch conducted a motor stop, but the driver, George W. Noonan of Laurence Harbor, failed to stop and attempted to flee. Believing the car to be stolen, the officer pursued the vehicle from Rt 18 onto Cranbury Road, where Noonan stopped and reversed, striking Welch’s patrol car, police said.

Out of an abundance of caution, local schools in the area were placed on a brief shelter-in-place, authorities said.

Noonan continued to flee and turned onto Deerfield Road, where he got off the car and fled on foot, police said.

He was taken into custody after a brief pursuit, but resisted arrest, police said.

Welch received on-scene medical treatment for injuries he sustained, while Noonan was taken to Raritan Bay Hospital in Old Bridge for an evaluation and treatment for injuries, authorities said.

Noonan, 37 was charged with aggravated assault, eluding, resisting arrest, and driving while intoxicated. He also had active warrants from Middlesex County and Old Bridge.

The passenger, Kellymari T. Gangi, 30 of Laurence Harbor was found to have an active warrant from Middlesex County.

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