Vernon Police

August 30 At 3:52 a.m. Patrolman Harry Russo observed a vehicle speeding on Canistear Road in the Highland Lakes section of Vernon Township. After a brief pursuit, the police stopped the vehicle on Canistear Road and the driver ran into a wooded area. Ptl. Russo pursued the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, but was unable to locate him. A search of the area by several officers did not locate the driver. Subsequent investigation by Patrolmen Russo, Kulawiak, Gebhard and Reid determined the identity of the driver to be Matthew S. Cappello, 30, of the Barry Lakes section of Vernon Township. Further investigation revealed that Cappello's driver license is suspended and that there were 12 outstanding warrants from eight different jurisdictions totaling $7, 077. Cappello was charged with speeding, reckless driving, driving while suspended and eluding a police officer. Cappello was also charged with resisting arrest and is currently lodged in the Sussex County jail on $25,000 bail in addition to the bail on the warrants.