Car Burglary Suspect Dives Into Icy Pond Fleeing East Brunswick Police

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A man fleeing East Brunswick Police after he was suspected of breaking into parked cars fled into an icy cold pond Wednesday afternoon in East Brunswick, and was saved by a police officer who went into the pond after him.

The dramatic incident began at 1:15 p.m., when East Brunswick PD was notified of three suspects — two men and a woman — breaking into parked cars at the Neilson Plaza Parking Deck (7 Tower Center Boulevard).

Police said they saw two of the suspects carrying stolen property and walking away from the parking deck, toward Tower Center Boulevard.

One surrendered while the other fled on foot northbound on Tower Center Boulevard. The foot chase began: East Brunswick Police chased the man north on Tower Center Boulevard, and that was where the man dove into Westons Mill Pond in an attempt to get away.

Police said they saw the man discarding items from his pockets while struggling to stay afloat in the cold pond water.

Patrolman David Velez entered the pond and pulled the suspect to land before he succumbed to hypothermia and possibly drowned.

The man pulled from the pond, Demetrius Richardson, 44, from Highland Park, was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, but was later released. The officer who saved him was evaluated on scene, but did not need to go to the hospital.

Richardson was charged with four counts of burglary, receiving stolen property and resisting arrest, among other charges. He is also wanted out of East Brunswick for several outstanding warrants.

The third suspect was located inside the Hilton Hotel and taken into custody without incident.

Keith E. Toney, 42, of New Brunswick, was similarly charged and the woman, Jessica L. Andrews, 36, of Flemington, was charged with burglary and drug possession. She is wanted out of various jurisdictions for several outstanding warrants.

Police say they broke into a total of four cars. Three of the cars had their windows broken, and the fourth car was unlocked.