Officers Recognized for Apprehending Impaired Driver in Toms River

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man who identified himself as a “sovereign citizen” was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a police pursuit, authorities said.

Toms River Police were dispatched to Ocean County College on July 26 after campus security reported a man driving through a parking lot who appeared to be intoxicated, according to Toms River PBA Local 137.

When officers arrived, the man left the parking lot and turned onto College Drive, police said.

Patrol Officer Tyler Pinto initiated a traffic stop, and although the driver initially pulled over, he soon sped away on College Drive and shut off his vehicle’s lights in an apparent attempt to evade police, according to the PBA.

The driver continued south on Hooper Avenue at a “very low speed” before entering the Garden State Parkway, police said. Once on the Parkway, the driver accelerated to approximately 90 mph. Pinto then ended the pursuit for public safety reasons, consistent with New Jersey Attorney General’s Office guidelines governing police pursuits, the PBA said.

A short time later, Toms River police located the vehicle on Route 166 and followed it to Castle Park, where the driver pulled into the property. Officers then conducted a felony stop, according to the PBA.

The driver refused to exit the vehicle, prompting Patrol Officers Tyler Pinto, Matthew Mlotkiewicz, Andrew Mastandrea, Ryan Litterer and William Morsch to form a tactical team and approach the vehicle with a ballistic shield, the PBA said.

During the encounter, the driver identified himself as a “sovereign citizen,” a term associated with people who believe the government has no legitimate authority over them and that declaring themselves sovereign exempts them from following certain laws.

Police said the man continued refusing to leave the vehicle. Officers ultimately removed him by force, and he resisted as they attempted to take him into custody, according to the PBA.

The man was arrested and charged with eluding, resisting arrest and obstruction. Police did not release his identity.

“We’d like to commend our officers on a job well done,” the PBA said, adding that the department will continue recognizing officers for their work each day.