Rio Grande Woman Arrested for Eluding Officers in Stolen Box Truck, Police Say

RIO GRANDE – At approximately 8:42 a.m. Oct. 6, Patrolman George Eskander observed a box truck, with West Side Meats on the side, traveling north on Route 9, with smoke coming from the vehicle.
According to a release, several vehicles behind the box truck also were beeping their horns and pointing to the vehicle as it went by. While following the vehicle, Patrolman Eskander observed the vehicle smoking, and the vehicle ran the red light at Route 9 and Indian Trail Road. Patrolman Eskander then activated his emergency lights, but the vehicle failed to yield. 
Eskander and other officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle continued up Route 9, on to Stone Harbor Boulevard, and then turned north onto the Garden State Parkway. The vehicle continued on the Parkway until exit 25, where it ran the light at the end of the exit ramp and then headed toward Route 9 on Roosevelt Boulevard, in Marmora. 
The vehicle ran the light at the intersection of Route 9 and struck a van belonging to Atlantic City Electric, causing it to overturn. 
At that time, the driver of the box truck, Melissa Lapworth, 28, of Rio Grande, was placed under arrest for eluding and placed in the custody of the New Jersey State Police. Lapworth was also found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The driver of the van was removed from the vehicle and reported no injuries at the time, however, was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center, as a precaution. 
Further investigation revealed that the box truck had been stolen from Westside Wholesale Distributors, on Railroad Avenue, in Rio Grande. This case, as of Oct. 6, is being investigated, and charges are pending from the Middle Township Police Department and the New Jersey State Police. Also assisting with this incident was the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department.
The above was received from a law enforcement agency. The person named is innocent unless proven otherwise.