Police Pursuit Ends With Crash at New Jersey Auto Dealership

Authorities say a man assaulted a woman and stole a car she was sitting in before leading police on a pursuit that ended when he crashed into a central New Jersey Cadillac dealership, damaging a dozen vehicles.

Middlesex County prosecutors say 23-year-old L’Kapree Bethea of East Orange faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault, kidnapping and drunken driving. It’s not known if he’s retained a lawyer.

The pursuit began around 2 a.m. Saturday in Piscataway, but was quickly ended due to safety concerns. It resumed a short time later in Dunellen and continued until Bethea crashed on Route 22 in Watchung.

Bethea and the woman were treated at a hospital for undisclosed injuries.

Dealership officials estimate that about $300,000 worth of damage was done to their cars and a showroom window.