Escape try leads to chase in city
Thursday, November 15, 2007
By Jonathan Vit
jvit@sjnewsco.com
WOODBURY A fugitive eluded police for nearly 30 minutes after escaping from a bail bondsman's car and running down the railroad tracks toward a car of waiting accomplices Tuesday evening, police said.
Harold L. Gotts, 22, of Barrington, allegedly kicked a car door into Antonio Roman, knocking the bail bondsman down before taking off handcuffed down the railroad tracks running behind the police station.
Gotts was previously picked up on several warrants and was transported to the Woodbury police station to be turned over to the Gloucester County Jail. Roman, a bail bondsman, was attempting to remove Gotts from his car when he escaped outside the police station.
As Gotts attempted his escape, Roman entered the police department and told officers that his fugitive was running away.
"He came into the station yelling He is getting away, he is getting away,'" said Captain Timothy Sheehan.
About 30 minutes later, officers were able to corner Gotts along the railroad tracks near Laurel Street. Three accomplices who allegedly knew of the escape were waiting a short distance away in a gold car, police said.
Gotts, who was handcuffed with his hands in front of his body, was arrested on charges of simple assault, obstruction, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension and disorderly conduct and was lodged in the Gloucester County Jail in lieu of $25,000 full cash bail.
His fiancé, Lauren G. Lupo, 23, of Barrington, and two friends, Daniel E. Nevius, 26, of Gloucester City, and Matthew Solomon, 20, of Hill Top, were all arrested and charged with obstruction, hindering apprehension and disorderly conduct.
Solomon was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after officers found a small knife on his person, police said.
"They said they knew he escaped and they were waiting to pick him up," said Sheehan of the group accused of helping Gotts plan his escape.
Bail was set at $1,000 full cash for all three; only Lupo posted bail.
Solomon and Nevius were lodged in the Gloucester County Jail.
© 2007 Gloucester County Times
© 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
