Princeton Police Blotter: Dryer Fire, High Speed Chase

A garment began to smolder in a dryer in a Princeton condo yesterday, triggering smoke detectors. Firefighters were dispatched to the home on Brickhouse Road yesterday because of the smoke. The home was unoccupied. Firefighters removed the garment from the dryer and extinguished the fire.

A man driving a black Land Rover was stopped by police in the early house of Jan. 17, and police determined that the vehicle had stolen license plates and an altered vehicle identification number, indicating that the vehicle was possibly stolen. The driver fled in the vehicle before police were able to identify and apprehend him. The vehicle was estimated to be traveling at over 80 miles per hour, heading westbound on Cherry Hill Road. Police stopped pursuing the vehicle because of the dangers involved int he high speed chase. The vehicle was later spotted in Somerset County on Route 78. Officers from Bridgewater Township attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled toward Newark. A follow up investigation with the help of the Newark Police Department led to the identification of the driver. Henry Belford, 19, of Newark, was arrested later in the day with the assistance of the Newark Police Department Fugitive Apprehension Squad.  The investigation continues into the whereabouts of the possible stolen vehicle as well as the involvement of accomplices. Belford was charged with eluding apprehension, receiving stolen property and possession of altered motor vehicle parts and his bail was set at $50,000. He was committed to the Mercer County Detention Center.

A Princeton resident was stopped for speeding just before 11:30 p.m. on Jan 16. An investigation showed that Alexander Roche, 29, was driving while intoxicated, police said. Roche was charged with driving while intoxicated and he was released.