INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY: According to authorities, New Jersey man John G. Hargreaves intentionally crashed his SUV on September 20 into a residence and the Independence Township police headquarters.
The 34-year-old New Jersey man is currently being held on terrorism-related charges after it was claimed that he deliberately plowed his SUV into the police station while blasting the Guns N' Roses track 'Welcome to the Jungle' loudly on his stereo.
Prosecutors claim that as soon as Hargreaves exited the car, he raised his hands in the air and appeared to be rejoicing, loudly blasting the anthem for bad behavior by Guns N' Roses from his car audio as police hauled him into custody.
Hargreaves was arrested right after his Toyota SUV crashed through the Independence Township Police Department's foyer, as reported by ABC News.
The surveillance footage of the incident, made public by the authorities, showed the SUV crashing through the police station wall on September 20, causing "significant damage," said Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer.
Minutes before the police station crash, Hargreaves allegedly drove through the garage door of a residence in Liberty Township with the intent to irritate the homeowner, who is a known acquaintance of Hargreaves.
As per Daily Mail, Hargreaves allegedly intended to take revenge on the woman who he claimed "hypnotized" him.
According to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, no one was hurt in the crash, however, one officer came extremely close to being struck by the car.
What are the charges against John Hargreaves?
Hargreaves is currently being prosecuted by Warren County Prosecutor Pfeiffer on counts of terrorism in the first degree and second degree, along with felony assault, criminal disorder, burglary, intimidation, and firearms violations.
According to a press release from the Independence Township Police, John Hargreaves was quoted as: "[John Hargreaves] deliberately crashed his gold Toyota SUV into the garage door of a private residence in an attempt to scare or harass the homeowner, whom the defendant knew, before driving to their police station and crashing through the walls."
The cause of the crash has not yet been revealed by the authorities.
However, they have confirmed that Hargreaves is still being held at the Warren County jail as of September 29, awaiting a Warren County Superior Court hearing.
County prosecutors claimed they were unaware of Hargreaves' legal representation.
Internet trolls New Jersey man for crashing into police station
Journalist Ed Krassenstein took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to slam Hargreaves' 'Welcome to the Jungle' car crashing incident: "What would cause someone to do this? Is it mental illness, or just someone who is really ignorant and careless?"
One X user responded to the tweet by writing, "My guess is he reached a point in his life where he felt he had nothing left to lose. Those are generally conditions for many violent crimes."
"He probably is looking for a place to crash," said another, mocking Hargreaves.
A third social media user claimed, "Maybe he is a Democratic Socialist and couldn't figure out how to get into the building. We shouldn't condemn him until we know all the facts."
"Maybe he just wanted 3 hot meals and an uncomfortable bed?" quipped another X user.
One X user sarcastically wrote, "If there was no sign posted outside the cop-shop stating that 'driving your vehicle through the building is prohibited'... I think he's in the clear. Although, good luck getting that vehicle back. (sarcasm font is broke)"
"The modern day early retirement plan. 3 squares a day, a cot and 1 hour of yard time," joked another one.
Another one noted, "There’s something about the jail itself that he’s desperately trying to get in"
