Union City man unsuccessfully tries to evade Secaucus police by jumping into creek

A Union City man unsuccessfully tried to evade Secaucus police after shoplifting at Kohl’s by fleeing on Route 3 West and eventually jumping into Berry’s Creek in East Rutherford, Police Chief Dennis Miller said.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Gregory Calvo, 53, of Union City was charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest, shoplifting, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, eluding, and possession of burglar tools, Miller said in a statement.

On February 23rd at approximately 9:31 a.m., Loss Prevention at Kohl’s, located at 3 Millcreek Drive, told police that a man committed a theft and was fleeing the area in a 2011 gray Mitsubishi Lancer.

Upon their arrival, the suspect vehicle drove around two marked police units and went down a one-way street to flee onto Route 3 West. Police Officer Salvatore Manente, Jr. was monitoring the radio transmissions and positioned himself on Route 3 West.

He was able to observe the gray Mitsubishi Lancer travelling recklessly at a high rate of speed.

As a result, he attempted to stop the vehicle and ascertained the license plate, however the driver, identified as Calvo, disregarded the signal to stop and accelerated at a high rate of speed on Route 3 West.

At this point, Manente  disengaged from the attempt to stop and lost sight of the gray Mitsubishi Lancer.

While turning around in East Rutherford near Metlife Stadium, the officer again came upon the gray Mitsubishi Lancer after it had struck a guardrail underneath the Berry’s Creek bridge.

At this point, Calvo exited the vehicle, fled on foot, ignored commands to halt and jumped into Berrys Creek.

Secaucus police launched its unmanned aerial drone to maintain an overhead visual of Calvo as he was drifting in the current.

After being in the frigid water for almost 15 minutes, he was pulled from the water and placed under arrest by police officers and New Jersey State Troopers. He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment.

The gray Mitsubishi Lancer was found to have been stolen from Union City earlier that morning, while a search of the vehicle uncovered stolen property and burglar’s tools.

“I am proud to be part of a profession that generates such an overwhelming response when a call for assistance is broadcasted. This incident is another example that the Secaucus Police Department will work tirelessly to apprehend criminals, despite their desperate attempts to evade capture,” Miller added.

“I want to thank the New Jersey State Police, and East Rutherford, Rutherford and Carlstadt Police Departments, along with Hudson Regional Hospital EMS for their assistance.”