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150-mile car chase ends in surrender

After a 90-minute, 150-mile car chase up and down the New Jersey Turnpike, a woman was arrested Saturday night and charged with criminally restraining her female passenger, according to New Jersey State Police.

After a 90-minute, 150-mile car chase up and down the New Jersey Turnpike, a woman was arrested Saturday night and charged with criminally restraining her female passenger, according to New Jersey State Police.

Eleanor Valdenarro, 44, of Dumont, N.J., was also charged with eluding police and making terroristic threats.

Her passenger, a 54-year-old Jersey City woman whose name was not released, called 911 around 8 p.m. Saturday to say she was being held against her will in a blue Ford Explorer, said state police Sgt. Stephen Jones on Sunday.

Troopers soon spotted the Explorer headed southbound on the turnpike near milepost 70 in Middlesex County. The SUV refused to pull over, despite being pursued by a state police car with flashing lights and, eventually, a police helicopter, Jones said.

At the Delaware Memorial Bridge, Valdenarro reversed directions and drove north on the turnpike, finally getting off in Bayonne. She pulled into a Firestone Tire Center and surrendered, Jones said.

Police attributed the episode to "a domestic issue."

"State police remained patient and luckily, it paid off," Jones said. "This ended with no injuries. It ended as well as we could have hoped."

Contact Staff Writer Marie McCullough at 215 854-2720 or a mmccullough@phillynews.com