Crime & Safety

Police Try to Stop Suspected Shoplifter Speeding Through Downtown

Officer pulls gun on car headed for him; car swerves and gets away.

Police in downtown Millburn this afternoon attempted to stop a car that they believed was making a getaway from a shoplifting incident at The Mall at Short Hills.

At 2:19 p.m. today, Nordstrom’s employees saw a white male leave the store with a leather jacket and get into a burgundy Toyota Tercel and drive away.

A bulletin was put out and possible vehicle matching the description was observed by Millburn Officer Glenn Ostlund on Lackawanna Place near Millburn Avenue.  Officer Ostlund assisted by Officer William Laverty attempted to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Millburn Avenue, according to Millburn Police Lt. and PIO Peter Eakley.

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At that time, without warning, the driver left at a high rate of speed and went down Millburn Avenue in the wrong direction towards Main Street.  Directing traffic on a normal traffic post was Officer Collin McMillan. Eakley said that McMillan, realizing the dangers to the pedestrians, cleared the  intersection, drew his gun and pointed at the renegade driver.

The driver aimed his vehicle directly toward McMillan and at the last second veered off onto Main Street southbound, Eakley said.  A search of the area was conducted, but it is believed the suspect escaped over the bridge into Springfield, Eakley said.

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Pedestrians, shoppers and employees in Starbucks saw the officer pull the gun and a car speed away.

The Millburn Police Department is investigating the case.

 


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