August 7, 2008: Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq., Deputy Chief of Investigations William Schievella and Morristown Chief of Police Peter Demnitz announce the arrest of Fedele (Fred) J. Goduto, Jr., age 63, of Morristown. Goduto was charged with:

One Count of First Degree Attempted Murder
One Count of Second Degree Eluding
Three Counts of Third Degree Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer
Three Counts of Second Degree Aggravated Assault During an Eluding
One Count of Third Degree Possession of CDS
One Count of Third Degree Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute

Bail was set by the Honorable Thomas Manahan, P.J.Cr. at $250,000.00.

On August 6, 2008, at approximately 12:08 pm, Morristown Police Detectives Thomas Loia and Robert Gibbons were on Speedwell Avenue in the area of Henry Street when they observed the defendant, Fedele (Fred) J. Goduto, Jr., engaged in an alleged drug sale to another individual. At the time of the observation, Goduto was operating a 1991 BMW. Immediately following the alleged drug sale, Cheryl Ogden was taken into custody by Detective Tyrone Jackson after she exited Goduto's vehicle. Ogden, age 41, of Morristown, was charged with Third Degree Possession of CDS Heroin.

The suspect vehicle turned north on to Speedwell Avenue after it turned from Walker Avenue. As Ptl. Weaver activated his overhead lights and siren in an attempt to make a motor vehicle stop, the vehicle slowed down in the curb lane of Speedwell Avenue, near Pocahontas Park, and it appeared as though the defendant would stop.

However, the defendant suddenly accelerated the vehicle and sped north on Speedwell Avenue. MPD Ptl. Bruce Summers, in a marked MPD vehicle, provided backup to Ptl. Weaver as they pursued the BMW into Morris Township and into Morris Plains.

The defendant was operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed and led officers on a pursuit from Speedwell Avenue to Morris Township's Mill Road, Burnham Road and then across West Hanover Avenue into Morris Plains. The defendant then made a right turn on to Grannis Avenue back toward the center of Morris Plains. He then turned right on to Franklin Avenue, across from the Morris Plains Train Station, and made another right on to Mountain Way heading north.

The pursuit then continued across Grannis Avenue, through a construction zone, up Mountain Way to Tower Hill Road where the suspect vehicle turned right. The street is marked with a "No Outlet" sign and, in fact, Tower Hill Road is a cul-de-sac. The defendant continued into the cul-de-sac and he appeared to be surrounded by the pursuing MPD vehicles without any room to maneuver or escape.

The BMW appeared to have no where to go but the vehicle suddenly went up and over a curb to evade patrols. Morristown Detective Thomas Loia had gotten out of Det. Sgt. Buckley's vehicle to assist in the arrest of the defendant when suddenly and without warning, he accelerated the BMW and headed for Det. Loia.

Det. Loia had to jump over an embankment to avoid being struck by the accelerating vehicle. Unknown to Det. Loia at the time, was that the embankment was actually a large boulder with a drop of about fifteen feet onto a lawn on Tower Hill Road. As a result of the fall, Det. Loia sustained a fractured right fibula.

The BMW, still being operated by the defendant, was struck on the passenger side by the front of Morristown Police Sgt. Holtz' marked unit as it sped toward Det. Loia. This action prevented the BMW from striking MPD Det. Loia. In total, the suspect's vehicle, four Morristown Police vehicles, and a pickup truck that had been operated by Det. Gibbons all sustained damage.

Det. Sgt, Buckley was treated and released at Morristown Memorial Hospital for a leg injury. MPD Det. Gibbons was treated and released at MMH for a sprained shoulder and MPD Det. Loia was treated and released at MMH for a fractured leg.

Several glassine packets, containing suspected heroin, were found in the vehicle.

Prosecutor Bianchi stated, "This underscores the dangers confronted by our brave police officers on a daily basis, especially when confronted by drivers who refuse to obey lawful orders of the police when ordered to stop their motor vehicles. I am happy that the injuries sustained by these officers were not life threatening."

The investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Sheriff's Office, Morristown Police Department and Morris Plains Police Department.

If anyone has any further information they are encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Morristown Police Department at 973-538-2200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office CrimeStoppers Program at 973-COP-CALL (973-267-2255).

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio