Woman Claims Kidnapped, Flees From Police Through Berkeley Heights

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — A Monmouth County woman claimed she was kidnapped after she led police on a chase through Berkeley Heights on Wednesday, according to state police.

Around 8:23 p.m., Valerie Hedlund, 30, of Belford was driving west of Route 78 when police tried to stop her for reckless driving near milepost 41 in Berkeley Heights.

Hedlund drove her Chevy Tahoe off exit 41 onto Plainfield Avenue, then onto Mountain Avenue and into the parking lot of Westminster Presbyterian Church where she then drove down an embankment, NJ State Police Trooper Alejandro Goez told Patch.

She then reportedly got out of her car and ran before police arrived, according to police.

Police located Hedlund who then told police she had been kidnapped, which was determined to be untrue as she was the only person in the car.

Hedlund is charged with obstruction, resisting by flight, eluding, hindering, false reporting implicating another involved, false reporting fictitious report and false public law.

She was released from custody with an upcoming court date.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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