Man Allegedly Takes Truck For Test Drive, Doesn’t Come Back

Jason DeAngelo (Photo courtesy Ocean County Jail)

  STAFFORD – After taking a car for a test drive and never returning to the dealership, a Barnegat man was arrested and charged with taking the truck and eluding, police said.

  On February 18, 47-year-old Jason DeAngelo had taken a 2023 white GMC Sierra from the Barlow GMC car dealership for a test drive around 11 a.m. However, police said DeAngelo never returned with the car.

  Later that day the car was seen by the Tuckerton Borough Police Department on Route 539, and they attempted to stop the car. DeAngelo did not stop and proceeded to drive south on the Garden State Parkway. Police said officers did not pursue the vehicle any further.

  The Stafford Township Police Department’s DEU was able to gain information that the car and DeAngelo were in the Atlantic City area near the Tropicana Casino. They located the car in the parking garage of the Tropicana unoccupied. Additionally, the New Jersey State Police Casino Operations Unit was contacted to help assist in locating DeAngelo in the casino. 

  After finding DeAngelo in the Tropicana, he was arrested without incident and transported to the Stafford Township Police Department for processing. He was charged with 3rd Degree Unlawful taking of Means of Conveyance in Stafford Township, and 2nd Degree Eluding out of Tuckerton Borough.

  DeAngelo was later transported to Ocean County Jail where he was lodged on his charges, and pending a future appearance in Ocean County Superior Court. 

Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.