Police Officer Injured In Stolen Car Crash In Marlboro

MARLBORO, NJ — A Marlboro Township homeowner reported suspicious activity in front of their home at 2 a.m. Friday and when police arrived to investigate, it resulted in the suspect fleeing in a stolen car, crashing into a police car on Reids Hill Road and ultimately running from the scene, according to Marlboro police.

At 2:12 a.m. on Friday a homeowner on Bayview Drive, in the Morganville section of Marlboro, called 911 to report suspicious activity in front of his house, said Marlboro police.

Patrolman Adam Mattei was in the area and located a black Audi at the nearby intersection of Walnut Drive and Pleasant Valley Road. The Audi sped off at a high rate of speed towards Reids Hill Road. Another officer, Patrolman Michael Verbeke, was driving on Beacon Hill Road and was also responding to the 911 call.

As Verbeke was making a K-turn on Reids Hill Road, the Audi crashed into his patrol car, and Verbeke sustained injuries to both wrists when his air bag deployed.

The suspect driving the Audi got out and fled on foot, said police. Marlboro police said they did an extensive search of the area, but he still remains at large Friday.

It was later determined that the Audi was reported stolen out of Mendham late last year, said police.

The Marlboro police officer was taken to Bayshore Hospital by the Morganville First Aid Squad, where he was treated and released.

*Patch inaccurately originally described this as a stolen car chase. Marlboro police did not initiate a pursuit of the stolen vehicle.