INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ – A 34-year-old man is facing some serious charges, to include terrorism, after authorities say the individual intentionally crashed a vehicle into a police station all while blaring the song “Welcome to the Jungle” in the vehicle.
The incident occurred on September 20th, where authorities say John Hargreaves intentionally crashed his vehicle into the Independence Township police headquarters after having also crashed his SUV into the garage door of a home in Liberty Township.
Video of the police headquarters incident was captured via security camera, sans audio, where Hargreaves vehicle is seen crashing right into the police building and comes to a stop amid the department’s squad room.
As seen in the captured footage, Hargreaves immediately raises his hands in the air and surrenders to the two understandably shocked officers inside of the police headquarters building.
Whilst audio was not captured by the security footage, authorities say the suspect was blaring the Guns ‘n Roses song “Welcome to the Jungle” inside of the vehicle at the time of the incident and even appeared to be somewhat celebrating the entire matter. Luckily, no one was injured during the crash.
Officials have yet to disclose a possible motive in the case nor share much of any insight on the suspect in custody, with the exception of the residence that Hargreaves allegedly crashed into prior to the police building as prosecutors say he is familiar with the victims as the impacted residence.
Local reports do show Hargreaves was previously arrested back in June of 2021 and was subsequently charged with burglary, criminal trespass, stalking and harassment in connection with a reported breaking and entering incident in Independence Township at the time. The outcome of the aforementioned 2021 case is unclear as of this writing.
But the 2021 case Hargreaves endured pales in comparison to the charges he’s currently facing with the police station crash, as prosecutors have reportedly brought forth charges of burglary, criminal mischief, weapons charges, terrorism, aggravated assault and causing widespread injury or damage. The terrorism charges alone carry up to a life sentence, if convicted.
Hargreaves reportedly remains in custody, and it is unclear whether or not the suspect has retained an attorney in the case. The Associated Press did attempt to reach out to the attorney who represented Hargreaves in the 2021 case, but did receive a comment back in response.
The incident occurred on September 20th, where authorities say John Hargreaves intentionally crashed his vehicle into the Independence Township police headquarters after having also crashed his SUV into the garage door of a home in Liberty Township.
Video of the police headquarters incident was captured via security camera, sans audio, where Hargreaves vehicle is seen crashing right into the police building and comes to a stop amid the department’s squad room.
As seen in the captured footage, Hargreaves immediately raises his hands in the air and surrenders to the two understandably shocked officers inside of the police headquarters building.
Whilst audio was not captured by the security footage, authorities say the suspect was blaring the Guns ‘n Roses song “Welcome to the Jungle” inside of the vehicle at the time of the incident and even appeared to be somewhat celebrating the entire matter. Luckily, no one was injured during the crash.
Officials have yet to disclose a possible motive in the case nor share much of any insight on the suspect in custody, with the exception of the residence that Hargreaves allegedly crashed into prior to the police building as prosecutors say he is familiar with the victims as the impacted residence.
Local reports do show Hargreaves was previously arrested back in June of 2021 and was subsequently charged with burglary, criminal trespass, stalking and harassment in connection with a reported breaking and entering incident in Independence Township at the time. The outcome of the aforementioned 2021 case is unclear as of this writing.
But the 2021 case Hargreaves endured pales in comparison to the charges he’s currently facing with the police station crash, as prosecutors have reportedly brought forth charges of burglary, criminal mischief, weapons charges, terrorism, aggravated assault and causing widespread injury or damage. The terrorism charges alone carry up to a life sentence, if convicted.
Hargreaves reportedly remains in custody, and it is unclear whether or not the suspect has retained an attorney in the case. The Associated Press did attempt to reach out to the attorney who represented Hargreaves in the 2021 case, but did receive a comment back in response.
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