New Brunswick police car stolen, officer struck

NEW BRUNSWICK – Following a four-hour pursuit Wednesday, city police apprehended a burglary suspect who stole a transport police vehicle and struck an officer as the suspect fled the scene.

Using a combination of high-tech methods and old-fashioned police work, authorities found the abandoned police vehicle at Evergreen and Hickory drives by pinging the officer's phone left inside the car. They then pursued 26-year-old city resident Andrell Childs on foot, by following a trail of footprints left in the snow, and located him at a residence on Handy Street, where he barricaded himself in the basement. Officers were able to enter the residence and apprehend Childs without incident.

The incident began at about noon Wednesday, when officers responded to the area of 48 Baldwin St. for a burglary in progress, police said. As officers arrived, they observed two suspects fleeing on foot, they said.

Officers pursued the suspects and quickly apprehended Duane Quarles Jr., 24, of Plainfield. Childs then led officers on a foot chase through several yards and jumped into a marked police vehicle parked on Comstock Street, police said. As Childs pulled away with the police vehicle, he struck the officer, who was standing outside the vehicle, police said.

The officer suffered minor injuries and was transported to, treated at and released from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.

Childs was charged with burglary, attempted murder, obstruction, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on police, and receiving stolen property. Quarles was charged with burglary, eluding, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, obstruction, resisting arrest, aggravated assault on police and theft.

This investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the city Detective Bureau at 732-745-5217 or 732-745-5200.

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@MyCentralJersey.com