South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka announced the suspect police were seeking in connection with the assault on a detective has surrendered. At 12:20pm Wednesday Alan Fratello Jr turned himself in after facing mounting pressure from law enforcement. Chief Hayducka credited the public tips and pressure from social media with making the suspect give up. "He knew we were going to track him down, it was just a matter of hours. Family members had reached out to detectives because they saw the media reports about him being wanted. He had no option but to surrender," said Chief Hayducka. He thanked the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Edison Police, Toms River Police and South Amboy Police for all the assistance they provided.
The incident began on Tuesday at 3:45PM when motorists observed a 2016 grey Kia Sorrento driving erratically on Route 32 east near the intersection of Route 535. Detective Eric Tighelaar and Detective Monica Posteraro located the Kia Sorrento and conducted a motor vehicle stop. Detective Tighelaar approached the Kia Sorrento and began speaking with the driver Alan Fratello Jr, age 46 of Monmouth Junction, and the front passenger Jaqueline Smith, age 41 of Monmouth Junction. Mr. Fratello Jr then suddenly grabbed Detective Tighelaar’s tie and began driving away, forcing Detective Tighelaar to run alongside the vehicle. Detective Tighelaar began pushing himself off of Mr. Fratello Jr’s vehicle and was able to break free. Mr. Fratello Jr then drove his vehicle over the center median and headed back towards Route 130. Other drivers in the area reported seeing a grey Kia Sorrento driving erratically at that time as well.
Mr. Fratello Jr and Ms. Smith were already wanted by other police agencies for unrelated offenses and Mr. Fratello Jr had no valid drivers license.
As a result of this incident, Mr. Fratello Jr has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Eluding. He was also charged with numerous motor vehicle violations. Mr Fratello Jr is lodged at the Middlesex County Correction Center pending his first court appearance. Ms Smith remains at large and has active warrants for her.
