Crime & Safety
Gloucester 'Porch Pirate' Hit Officer With Car To Elude Arrest: Police
Ebony Gomez is accused of stealing multiple packages from Gloucester Township porches last weekend. She remains at large.
GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A woman suspected of stealing packages from at least three Gloucester Township porches is now accused of hitting a police officer with her car while attempting to avoid arrest, according to authorities.
The woman — identified by police as Ebony Gomez of Jacksonville, Florida — was captured on video last weekend wearing "Rugrats" pants and driving a white Dodge Journey while taking packages from front porches in the Mayfair Woods development, Gloucester Township police said.
According to authorities, two of the thefts happened on Dec. 1 while the other was reported on Dec. 2.
Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
During one of the incidents, police said Gomez knocked on the victim's door before taking the package. When the resident confronted Gomez, police said she claimed she worked for UPS and delivered it to the wrong home.
In an update released Friday, police said they received an anonymous tip reporting a white Dodge Journey in the Sicklerville section of Gloucester Township. Police said they located the vehicle traveling on Jarvis Road and attempted to stop the driver.
Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
During the stop, police said officers determined the car was reported stolen. Authorities said officers also noticed children sitting unrestrained in the vehicle before it fled at a high rate of speed.
A short time later, police said they located Gomez in the vehicle parked on Parsons Court. As an officer approached the vehicle, police said Gomez again attempted to flee and struck the officer with her vehicle.
According to police, officers briefly pursued Gomez but ended the chase due to safety concerns. She remains at large, police said.
The officer was taken to a nearby hospital where they were listed in stable condition, police said.
Anyone with information on Gomez's whereabouts should contact police at 856-228-4500 or the GTPD Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 856-842-5560.
To send an anonymous tip via text message, text the keyword GLOTWPPD and your tip message to 888777. Or, send via the agency's anonymous-tip webpage.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
