A Union City man fleeing from police after shoplifting from a Secaucus store Friday jumped into a creek near MetLife Stadium before being arrested, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said.
Gregory Calvo, 53, was charged with shoplifting, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, eluding, possession of burglar tools, obstructing the administration of law and resisting arrest after the incident that started at Kohl’s on Millcreek Drive at 9:30 a.m. He was taken to Hudson County jail.
A store loss prevention officer reported the theft and told police the getaway vehicle was a 2011 gray Mitsubishi Lancer, Miller said. When police arrived, the Calvo drove around two marked police vehicles and fled onto Route 3 West.
Police Officer Salvatore Manente Jr. positioned himself on Route 3 West and saw the Mitsubishi Lancer speeding recklessly and attempted to stop the vehicle, but Calvo disregarded the signal to stop, Miller said. Manente ended his pursuit, but while turning around in East Rutherford, near MetLife Stadium, he found Calvo had struck a guardrail underneath the Berry’s Creek bridge.
Calvo jumped out of the car and fled on foot, then jumped into the creek, a tributary of the Hackensack River.
Secaucus police launched its unmanned aerial drone to maintain an overhead visual as Calvo drifting in the current. After being in the frigid water for nearly 15 minutes, Calvo was pulled from the water and arrested by police officers and New Jersey State Troopers.
“I am proud to be part of a profession that generates such an overwhelming response when a call for assistance is broadcasted,” Miller said. “This incident is another example that the Secaucus Police Department will work tirelessly to apprehend criminals, despite their desperate attempts to evade capture.
“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.”
Calvo was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment. The gray Mitsubishi Lancer was found to have been stolen from Union City early Friday. Police searched the vehicle and found stolen property and burglar’s tools.
