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See: Familiar felon linked to Bergen break-ins was often freed as fast as he was arrested
Rutherford Police Department
News Release
Suspicious Person/MVA/Stolen MV
On Wednesday December 22, 2010, at approximately 10:44 a.m., The Rutherford Police Department received a suspicious person call from a resident on Vreeland Avenue. The resident reported that a light skinned Hispanic male approximately 30 years of age 6’00 tall rang the doorbell and when the resident answered, the male inquired about renting a room at the residence. The resident realized that this was a ruse because there was not a room for rent at the house. The resident immediately called the police as the subject fled the area in a silver newer model Mercedes Benz SUV west on Vreeland Avenue.
A description of the actor, vehicle and direction of flight was broadcast to Rutherford Police units.
Officer Andrzej Hein observed the subject, later identified as Anthony B. Eli age 40 from Newark, N.J., operating a 2008 silver Mercedes Benz, which was reported stolen from a burglarized residence in Allendale, N.J. on Tuesday December 21, 2010, travelling east on West Gouverneur Avenue. Officer Hein motioned to Eli to pull over. Eli made eye contact and fled as Officer Hein turned on his lights and siren. Eli disregarded a stop sign and crashed into a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette operated by a 47 year old male from Newark travelling south on Park Avenue. The Corvette subsequently struck a tree and the driver was ejected from the vehicle which continued on into a Park Avenue resident’s driveway and came to rest against a flag pole in front of the house.
The Mercedes Benz spun out and came to rest on East Gouvernuer Avenue. Eli exited the vehicle and fled on foot scaling fences in backyards. Officer Hein immediately rendered first aid to the driver of the Corvette who was located on the sidewalk and broadcast Eli’s direction of flight to responding units. Eli ran into Tamblyn Field where Officer Nicholas Lozzi apprehended him with the assistance of Sgt. Henry Farrell, Sgt. Nicholas Moore, Officer William Gumbman and Officer Alford Anderson.
Eli was transported to Rutherford Police Headquarters where he received treatment for minor injuries and refused transportation to the hospital.
The driver of the corvette was transported by the Rutherford Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.
Anthony B. Eli was charged by the Rutherford Police Department with the following:
- Eluding 2nd degree
- Aggravated Assault causing bodily injury to another 2nd degree
- Knowingly Leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury 4th degree
- Receiving Stolen Property 3rd degree (stolen Mercedes Benz)
- Receiving Stolen Property 4th degree (stolen jewelry from Allendale burglary)
- Attempted Burglary 3rd degree (Vreeland Avenue residence)
- Causing Bodily Injury While Driving with a Suspended Driver License 4th degree
Subsequent to questioning him, Eli admitted to committing two other burglaries in Rutherford, one on Courier Place and one on Myrtle Avenue, on October 20, 2010. He was additionally charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief for each incident.
Bail was set at $250.000.00 with no 10% option. Eli was committed to the Bergen County Jail in default of bail.
On the basis of his statement, similar methods of operation and evidence, Eli is facing criminal charges in Allendale, Wood Ridge, Ramsey, Paramus, HoHoKus, Washington Township, Saddle River, Hillsdale and Waldwick. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted and assisted with the investigation.
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