On February 20th, 2020 Erik Diaz, age 40, of Linden, NJ was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree Eluding, one count of third-degree Hindering Apprehension, and one count of Resisting Arrest (by flight) and Criminal Mischief, both fourth-degree offenses. At approximately 2:41 AM, Ptl. Phares attempted to stop Diaz on Casper Berger Rd after observing his vehicle traveling on west on Readington Road. Mr. Diaz disregarded the signal to stop and accelerated, struck a curb, traveled across a lawn and came to rest in the woods. Diaz fled the scene however he was later found exiting the woods on Heath Road after an exhaustive search that lasted approximately five hours and involved officers and K-9's from several jurisdictions as well as the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit. Mr. Diaz was lodged in the Warren County Jail to await a detention hearing. The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.