STAFFORD — A North Carolina man was arrested following a high-speed pursuit that spanned the Route 72 Causeway and portions of Long Beach Island late December 12, authorities said.
According to police, a Stafford Township officer clocked a black BMW sedan traveling at an extreme rate of speed westbound on Route 72 shortly before 11 p.m. The vehicle was observed reaching speeds well over 100 mph as it crossed the Causeway Bridge, prompting officers to attempt a motor vehicle stop.
The driver failed to pull over and continued fleeing, police said, running a red light at the intersection of Route 72 and Mill Creek Road. A second officer later spotted the BMW traveling at more than 100 mph again as it turned off Route 72, but officers ultimately discontinued active pursuit due to safety concerns.
Investigators later determined the vehicle looped back eastbound on Route 72 and returned to Long Beach Island. At about 11:22 p.m., the Ship Bottom Police Department located the BMW parked and unattended inside the garage of Hotel LBI.
Stafford Township officers responded and continued the investigation, identifying Dashawn E. Capps, 26, of Leansville, North Carolina, as the driver. Officers located Capps inside the hotel and took him into custody without incident, police said.
Capps was charged with two counts of eluding, a third-degree offense, and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses. He was released on a criminal complaint summons pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
Officer Justin Barbuto was the arresting officer. The incident remains under review by the Stafford Township Police Department.
