Runaway Robbery Suspect Hits Pedestrian, Drags Cop With Car In South Jersey: Prosecutor

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NJ — A robbery suspect struck a pedestrian and dragged an officer with his vehicle while eluding police Wednesday in Cumberland County, authorities said.

Jacob D. Griffiths's attempted escape ended when he hit another car during a police pursuit, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO). The occupants of both vehicles, the pedestrian and the police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the incident and were taken to Inspira Medical Center, officials said.

The series of events began just after 9 a.m., when Millville police attempted to investigate a vehicle alleged to have been used in a robbery on a prior date in Vineland, the CCPO said. Griffiths, who was in the driver's seat on Wednesday, fled from police with a passenger on Bluebird Lane, authorities said.

Police temporarily stopped pursuing the vehicle after Griffiths sped away and ran a stop sign, the CCPO said. But shortly after, police found the car parked at Wawa in Dorchester.

When Millville police tried to arrest Griffiths at the scene, he drove away, dragging an officer a short distance, authorities said. He then struck a pedestrian near the fuel pumps while fleeing from the parking lot, according to the CCPO.

Officers pursued the car again, and the chase ended when Griffiths struck a civilian vehicle on Route 49 and Union Road in Maurice River Township, authorities said.

Griffiths, 40, of Bridgeton, was charged with four counts of aggravated assault for causing bodily injury while eluding law enforcement (second-degree), two counts of eluding (second-degree), two counts of hindering apprehension (third-degree) and one count of obstruction (fourth-degree).

New Jersey State Police are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.