Current:Home > MarketsDriver arrested when SUV plows into home, New Jersey police station -FinanceMind
Driver arrested when SUV plows into home, New Jersey police station
Poinbank Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 08:52:40
A 34-year-old New Jersey man is in jail on terrorism charges after authorities alleged he deliberately drove his SUV into a home and a police station while blaring the Guns N' Roses' song "Welcome to the Jungle" from his stereo.
John G. Hargreaves was immediately taken into custody when his Toyota SUV came crashing through the lobby of the Independence Township Police Department. He exited the vehicle with his hands and index fingers raised as if celebrating a touchdown, police said.
"The entire vehicle came to a final resting place in the squad room. The defendant exited the vehicle and appeared to be celebrating as officers apprehended him on scene as his car stereo blared the song 'Welcome to the Jungle,'" according to a statement from Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer.
Surveillance video of the incident released by authorities showed the SUV plowing through a wall of the police station on Sept. 20 and causing "significant damage," Pfeiffer said.
Minutes before the police station crash, Hargreaves is alleged to have purposefully driven his vehicle through the garage door of a home in nearby Liberty Township, New Jersey, according to Pfeiffer.
"The investigation showed that at approximately 6:17 p.m. (on Sept. 20), the defendant deliberately crashed his gold Toyota SUV into the garage of a private residence in an attempt to scare or harass the homeowner, who the defendant knew," Pfeiffer said in his statement.
Hargreaves is suspected of picking the Independence Township Police Department to crash into because it was the nearest law enforcement facility to the Liberty Township crash, authorities said.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
MORE: Video Boy drives stolen construction vehicle, damages property
Following the police station crash, Hargreaves of Belvidere, New Jersey, was booked at the Warren County Correctional Center on one count of first-degree terrorism and one count of causing widespread injury or damage, according to Pfeiffer.
If convicted of the terrorism charge, Hargreaves could face a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, Pfeiffer said.
MORE: Alabama riverfront melee: 5th suspect turns himself in, police say
"The offense is subject to the No Early Release Act," Pfeiffer said.
Hargreaves is also facing several charges stemming from the crash into the Liberty Township home, including burglary, harassment, aggravated assault, criminal mischief and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Hargreaves remains locked up at the Warren County Correctional Center, pending a hearing in Warren County Superior Court, according to Pfeiffer.
It was unclear if he had hired an attorney.
veryGood! (747)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Kevin Harlan loses his mind as confetti falls prematurely during Atlantic-10 title game
- 10 shipwrecks dating from 3000 BC to the World War II era found off the coast of Greece
- Luck of Irish not needed to save some green on St. Patrick's Day food and drink deals
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- The inside story of a rotten Hewlett Packard deal to be told in trial of fallen British tech star
- NCAA Tournament bubble watch: Conference tournaments altering March Madness field of 68
- Lamar Odom Reacts to Khloe Kardashian’s Message Honoring Brother Rob Kardashian
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- The spring equinox is here. What does that mean?
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Save 54% On This Keurig Machine That Makes Hot and Iced Coffee With Ease
- Book excerpt: One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford
- Pierce Brosnan fined for walking off trail in Yellowstone National Park thermal area
- Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
- Mauricio Umansky Shares Dating Update Amid Separation From Kyle Richards
- A warming island’s mice are breeding out of control and eating seabirds. An extermination is planned
- North Carolina grabs No. 1 seed, rest of NCAA Tournament spots decided in final Bracketology
Recommendation
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
Book excerpt: Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham
Yale stuns Brown at buzzer to win Ivy League, earn automatic bid to NCAA Tournament
Riley Strain disappearance timeline: What we know about the missing college student
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
Book excerpt: One Way Back by Christine Blasey Ford
Dollar stores are hitting hard times, faced with shoplifting and inflation-weary shoppers
Hormel concedes double-dippers had it right, invents chips so all can enjoy snacking bliss