OCEAN COUNTY — A Lanoka Harbor man was arrested after police say he stole an idling vehicle, struck its owner, and crashed moments later while attempting to flee.
Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department were dispatched at approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 5 to the 700 block of North Main Street following a report of a stolen vehicle. Police said the vehicle was quickly located a short distance away on Rail Road Avenue, where it had become disabled after crashing into decorative light posts.
Authorities identified the driver as 44-year-old William Sabie of Lanoka Harbor. He was taken into custody at the scene.
According to investigators, the incident began when the vehicle’s owner stepped outside to clear frost from the windshield while the engine was running. Police allege Sabie entered the vehicle and drove off, striking the owner in the process before leaving the area. The vehicle ultimately crashed on Rail Road Avenue, police said.
Sabie was charged with carjacking, theft of a motor vehicle, burglary, assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, and failure to report an accident.
He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail and released.
Police emphasized that all charges are accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The information was released by Capt. Samuel Della Sala of the Lacey Township Police Department.
