Wild two-hour chase through N.J., Phila. ends with suspect in custody

A robbery suspect driving a van led police on a winding chase through South Jersey and Philadelphia for about two hours Monday night before being taken into custody near Philadelphia International Airport.

The chase ended at 9:36 p.m. on the Enterprise Avenue exit of southbound I-95, heading toward Island Avenue, when a pursuing Pennsylvania State Police cruiser clipped the white 2000 Dodge, and the van rolled over before coming to a stop. The driver, identified by police as Robert Ritter of New Jersey, then surrendered.

Ritter was wanted on a warrant for a commercial robbery in Gloucester Township and the van was spotted by police in Oaklyn, Camden County, where the chase originated about 7:23 p.m., according to dispatchers.

The van crossed the Walt Whitman Bridge and entered Philadelphia, where it hit two Philadelphia police vehicles. None of the three officers in the vehicles was injured.

The van returned to New Jersey, leading police on major highways and down narrow residential streets, often speeding past traffic, but slowing cautiously through intersections. At one point, the chase passed through the parking lot of the Deptford Mall.

The pursuit continued over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia, where the van crisscrossed Old City, rolling past Independence Hall, and Fishtown before veering back onto I-95 south.

Police tried several times to box in the van but could not force the suspect to stop.

The chase ended when the van flipped. Ritter, who was wearing a Tiki Barber New York Giants jersey, climbed out of the vehicle and lay facedown on the ground.

There was no immediate word if Ritter was injured. He faces charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment for the Philadelphia part of the pursuit.

215-854-5983@RobertMoran215