05/20/2026
SPECIAL NEWS RELEASE – May 20, 2026
Nine Charged After Separate Police Eluding Incidents
Middlesex Borough Police Department Chief of Police Matthew P. Geist announced that six adults and three juveniles have been charged in connection with two separate incidents that occurred in Middlesex Borough on May 2, 2026.
The following individuals were charged with Eluding, a crime of the second degree, for knowingly refusing to comply with lawful police orders to stop while operating vehicles in a manner that created a risk of death or injury to others:
-Eric Rodriguez, 30, of Perth Amboy
-Breidy Taveras, 34, of New Brunswick
-Justice P. Philip, 27, of Somerset
-Derek E. Gomez, 25, of New Brunswick
-Christian J. Perez, 30, of East Stroudsburg (PA)
-Jesus A. Vega, 43, of New Brunswick
On May 2, 2026, at approximately 6:02 p.m., Officer Christian Dulin observed a group of ATVs and dirt bikes traveling westbound on Bound Brook Road in the area of Seventh Street. The vehicles were not displaying license plates, and the operators were observed failing to maintain their lanes, performing stunts, and disregarding red traffic signals at the intersections of Mountain Avenue and Greenbrook Road. The operators refused Ofc. Dulin’s lawful orders to stop and continued operating recklessly through the borough. Detective Scott Mulford conducted a follow-up investigation that resulted in the identification of the six adult males charged.
Later that evening, at approximately 8:13 p.m., Officer James Morley responded to the area of QuickChek, 107 Harris Avenue for numerous reports of juveniles riding bicycles recklessly in and out of traffic. Ofc. Morley located the group and observed several operators not wearing helmets, operating bicycles without lights, performing stunts, and riding in a dangerous and reckless manner. Numerous officers attempted to stop the juveniles; however, they refused and continued riding recklessly through the grounds of Von E. Mauger Middle School, along Union Avenue, Bound Brook Road, and several surrounding side streets.
Detective Paul Cerreto conducted a follow-up investigation and identified three juvenile operators. The following juveniles were charged with Resisting Arrest, a crime of the fourth degree, on juvenile delinquency complaints:
-A 16-year-old male from Manville
-A 14-year-old male from South Bound Brook
-A 13-year-old male from New Brunswick
Chief Geist stated, “The reckless actions displayed during these incidents posed a serious danger to motorists, pedestrians, and our community as a whole. Refusing lawful police orders while operating vehicles or bicycles in such a hazardous manner will not be tolerated in Middlesex Borough. I commend the outstanding investigative work conducted by Detectives Mulford and Cerreto, along with the responding officers, whose efforts led to the identification and charging of those responsible. The Middlesex Borough Police Department remains committed to protecting the safety and quality of life of our residents.”
These investigations remain active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact Det Mulford at (732) 356-1900 ext. 359 or at [email protected], or Det. Cerreto at (732) 356-1900 ext. 366 or at [email protected].
Should you have any questions or require clarification regarding the information provided, please contact Lt. Sean Flanagan at (732) 356-1900 extension 351 or at [email protected].
