Bridgewater Twp., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Bridgewater Township Acting Chief of Police Captain Paul S. Payne announced criminal charges for Nigel Hill, 22, West High Street, Bound Brook, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at approximately 3:12 p.m., Bridgewater Township Police responded to the area of Washington Avenue on a report of a suspicious male in the area.
Police were alerted of a physical description of the suspicious male which matched the description of a subject that is suspected for other home and vehicle burglaries within the jurisdiction.
Responding Bridgewater Officers observed a known stolen motor vehicle travelling west on Hillcrest Road at a high rate of speed.
Officers observed the vehicle which was operated by a male driver matching the description of the individual described on Washington Avenue.
Bridgewater Township Police attempted to stop the driver of the motor vehicle by activating their emergency lights and audible sirens.
The driver refused to comply and continued to flee by failing to stop for the police while driving erratically and at a high rate of speed.
Bridgewater Police subsequently terminated the pursuit on Washington Valley Road.
A follow-up investigation conducted by Bridgewater Police positively identified the suspect as defendant Nigel Hill.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at approximately 4:43 p.m. while on patrol Franklin Township Police observed the stolen motor vehicle which was involved in the Bridgewater Police pursuit the previous day. The vehicle was observed by Franklin Officers unoccupied on Parkside Street. Franklin Police maintained visual surveillance of the vehicle and notified Bridgewater authorities.
Officers subsequently observed defendant Hill enter the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop the defendant by activating their emergency police lights. Defendant Hill while operating a stolen motor vehicle refused to stop and fled the area disobeying multiple traffic stop signs. Franklin Police terminated the pursuit for public safety as the vehicle travelled north bound on Route 27.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that authorities are searching for defendant Hill and are seeking the public’s assistance in locating him.
Authorities caution the public not to approach defendant Hill but to contact law enforcement immediately if they should come into contact with the defendant or know of his whereabouts.
On Thursday, February 6, 2020 the stolen motor vehicle was recovered by New Brunswick Police within the City of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Defendant Hill has been charged with two counts of 2nd degree Eluding, 3rd degree Burglary, and is also wanted on a Somerset County Failure to Appear Warrant for Receiving Stolen Property.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Acting Chief Payne request anyone with information relating this event to contact the Bridgewater Township Police Department at (908) 722-4111.