Woman Leads Police On Rt. 18 Car Chase, Cops Say

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A woman who allegedly shoplifted from the ShopRite on Rt. 18 led police on a wild car chase onto Rt. 18 and Old Bridge Turnpike Tuesday afternoon, East Brunswick police said. An officer was injured trying to apprehend the woman when she floored it after he tried to open her car door, police said.

The 52-year-old North Brunswick woman was ultimately arrested.

The incident started at 2:30 p.m. this past Tuesday, Sept. 4 when police responded to the ShopRite at the Midstate Mall for a 911 call of an alleged shoplifter fleeing with an undetermined amount of merchandise. Detective Dennis Chieffo was at the Midstate Mall during this time, and saw the suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop behind the ShopRite.

Police say the woman disregarded his emergency lights and sirens and continued onto Tices Lane and then onto Rt. 18 northbound. Her car got stuck in traffic near Edgeboro Road and Detective Chieffo attempted to approach the suspect vehicle on foot and make contact with the driver.

She allegedly ignored Detective Chieffo’s order to stop and opened the door. When Detective Chieffo attempted to open the door, she accelerated and fled again onto Old Bridge Turnpike, causing Detective Chieffo to sustain a minor shoulder injury, police said.

The pursuit was continued by Ptl. Thomas Appell for a short distance onto Edgeboro Road before being terminated. The woman was later apprehended at her home in North Brunswick by North Brunswick Police Department.

Catherine Nadolski, 52 of North Brunswick, was charged with eluding and aggravated assault, and was taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Exterior of the Rt. 18 ShopRite via Google Earth