N.J. man charged after chase

A Howell Township man who officials said stole a car with the engine running led authorities on a 15-mile chase through parts of Ocean and Burlington Counties before he was caught with the help of a New Jersey State Police helicopter, law enforcement officials said yesterday.

Michael P. Gresham, 32, faces charges of auto theft, eluding police, resisting arrest, and obstructing the administration of law, said Detective Paul Melega, spokesman for the Little Egg Harbor Township Police.

Police said Gresham stole a 2001 gold Honda Accord around 6:30 p.m. Monday from in front of a Bank of America branch on Mathistown Road in Little Egg Harbor. Gresham led police on a chase through Little Egg Harbor in Ocean County and into New Gretna and Chatsworth in Burlington County, Melega said, crashed the car, and ran into a wooded area in Chatsworth with two township officers in pursuit.

Gresham shed his heavy jacket, sweatshirt and gloves, and eventually dove into a stream, Melega said. Township officers and state troopers - both using police dogs - searched for Gresham. A state police helicopter found him around 2 a.m. yesterday- five hours after he ran into the woods, Melega said. Gresham faces $100,000 bail and was in the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, officials said. - Darran Simon