Early Monday morning, January 3rd, at approximately 7:30 a.m. the Wildwood Police Department issued a “be on the look out” to all Cape May County Police Departments for a motor vehicle stolen out of their jurisdiction described as a blue, 2001 Ford SUV, bearing New Jersey Registration No. WFW96R.
Then at approximately 08:20 a.m. the Middle Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the area of Lafayette Street in the Del Haven Section, indicating that a subject operating a blue Ford Explorer, was attempting to break into another motor vehicle in the area.
Middle Township and Lower Township Patrol Officers began to respond to that location, but the caller then reported that the suspect left the area in the SUV, heading towards Lower Township.
A short time later, Lower Township Police received a 9-1-1 call indicating the stolen vehicle had just struck a tree on Virginia Avenue in the Villas Section of Lower Township.
Lower Township Patrol Officers arrived at the accident scene and determined that the vehicle was in fact the motor vehicle that was reported stolen out of the City of Wildwood.
The driver of the SUV, identified as Brian J. Ayres, age 22, of 12th Street in the Del Haven Section of Middle Township, initially told Lower Township Officers that someone else was driving the stolen motor vehicle.
Upon further investigation, Ayres was arrested at the accident scene and transported to the Lower Township Police Department where he was subsequently charged with the following offenses following the administration of an alcotest.
Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle
Hindering His Own Apprehension
Driving Under The Influence of Intoxicating Liquor and/or Drugs
Ayres was placed on a warrant with a bail of $20,000 set by Municipal Court Judge, Louis Belasco.
Ayres later complained of medical issues and was transported by the Lower Township Rescue Squad under police guard, to the Cape Regional Medical Center.
