Woman Taken Into Custody After Allegedly Stealing Police Car In South Jersey
By Jenn Bernstein
LINDENWOLD, N.J. (CBS) -- A little after one o'clock this morning, Officer Nicholas Grungo headed to the 2000 block of Brighton Avenue to handle a 911 call for a domestic dispute.
Lindenwold police believed a party was underway at the home.
It was here the officer was met by the homeowner, 35 year old Danyl Fontanez.
From the start, police said she was defiant.
"She continued to be uncooperative with him. So he had placed her under arrest she was handcuffed and placed in the back of his patrol car," said Lindenwold Police Detective Christopher Sherrer.
Officer Grungo and Sergeant Kevin Balmer then continued their investigation at the home, but Fontanez wasn't ready to sit tight.
"She managed to slip her handcuffs out and kick out the back window in the patrol car in between the front and back seats, climb into the front and drive the patrol car down the White Horse Pike," said Detective Sherrer.
The officers pursued her, as she looped through different roads.
Authorities say the chase lasted five minutes, until she pulled into Bayberry Road in Cherry Hill.
When officers tried to apprehend Fontanez, police say she continued to resist.
"During that struggle she got a minor injury to her chin, I guess it's a small cut they had to take her to the hospital to get stitches," said Detective Sherrer.
Police say the car had the keys in the ignition because of the heat.
If the windows are up, police want the air conditioning running.
Fontanez is facing a number of charges, but for now remains hospitalized.
The incident remains under investigation.
