An Essex County man was arrested in Rahway after fleeing from an early morning Cranford Police motor vehicle stop.

On March 17^th, 2022 at approximately 0109 hours, Officer Christopher Gross stopped a 2004 Ford Explorer in the area of Centennial Avenue and Raritan Road for an equipment and seatbelt violation.  During the course of Officer Gross’ initial contact with the driver, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the interior of the vehicle and observed an open container of alcohol within the passenger compartment.  Upon seeing this, Officer Gross asked the driver, Willie Toliver, 34, to exit the vehicle.  Toliver refused, placed the vehicle into drive, and fled the scene.  Because of the current motor vehicle pursuit policy promulgated by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Officer Gross did not pursue this vehicle because it did not meet pursuit criteria. 

After Police Communications radioed the vehicle’s description, make, model and license plate to surrounding police agencies, it was subsequently located by a Union County Police Unit in Rahway.  Police units from Union County Police Department and Rahway Police Department detained Toliver until Officer Gross and Officer Michael Gamba responded to take him into custody.  Subsequent to being arrested, Toliver was found to be in possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine and CDS Paraphernalia. 

Toliver was charged with 3^rd Degree Eluding, 4^th Degree Obstructing the Administration of Law, 3^rd Degree Possession of CDS Crack-Cocaine, and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia.  In addition, Toliver was issued motor vehicle summonses for not wearing a seatbelt, driving while suspended, having CDS in a motor vehicle, having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, having improper safety glass, and failing to provide credentials.  At the time of his arrest, Toliver was awaiting commitment to the Union County Jail in Elizabeth pending a Superior Court Detention Hearing.