An Atlantic City police detective allegedly eluded police who attempted to stop him after running a red light last month, BreakingAC has learned.
Fariyd Holmes, 36, of Mays Landing, allegedly lied about driving the vehicle, which ran two red lights and nearly struck a patrol car head-on, according to the affidavit.
The investigation was led by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office to avoid conflict with Holmes' employer.
A patrol officer who is not named in the report saw a vehicle go through the red light at Atlantic and Tennessee avenues at about 9:45 p.m. Sept. 21. The officer followed, watching the driver speed away, weaving in and out of traffic.
At one point, another officer radioed that the vehicle almost struck his head-on. The pursuing officer then activated his overhead lights and tried to stop the car, the affidavit states.
Instead of stopping, the driver ran another red light at Arkansas and Baltic avenues, wrote Sgt. James Rosiello, of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
The pursuit was ended after the officer was able to get the vehicle's registration information, which led to Holmes, who was called on his cell phone.
He told the officer that he was waiting for a ride and his niece was driving the vehicle, according to the affidavit. He also said he was "a little sauced."
Holmes did not give his niece's information nor where he was at the time of the call.
Video surveillance showed the vehicle traveling through the streets of Atlantic City with the driver wearing white.
The driver is identified as a black male wearing a white dress shirt, black watch and using a cell phone in video surveillance at the Pleasantville Toll Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway, Rosiello writes.
Holmes' cell phone records obtained through a court order also corroborated the movement of the vehicle throughout the city and traveling west on the expressway, according to the affidavit. It also showed communication with the patrol sergeant who called Holmes while he was in the vicinity of the toll plaza.
He is charged with second-degree eluding and was released on a summons.
Holmes pleaded not guilty and a defense investigation is underway, attorney Lou Barbone told BreakingAC.
"We will be presenting exculpatory evidence to the state for grand jury presentation," he said.
"The Atlantic City Police Department immediately made notification to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office to review and investigate the circumstances surrounding the attempted motor vehicle stop of a vehicle that was registered to Detective Fariyd Holmes," said Lt. Kevin Fair, spokesman for the Police Department. "The investigation led to criminal charges being filed against Holmes. He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal matter."
Holmes took off his jacket to keep the woman warm while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.
“I am very proud of the compassion and dedication displayed by Officer Holmes when he encountered a member of our community in need of assistance,” Police Chief James Sarkos, then interim officer-in-charge, said at the time.
Last year, the city honored Holmes as part of Black History Month.
