Suspect accused of driving recklessly on sidewalk in Haddonfield arrested

HADDONFIELD, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Police have arrested a suspect accused of driving recklessly on the sidewalk in Haddonfield, New Jersey on Thursday night.

Christian Capacchione, 30, of National Park, is now facing charges including terroristic threats, burglary, criminal mischief and property damage.

Officers responded after several 911 callers stated there was a car traveling on the sidewalk in the 100 to 200 block of Kings Highway around 5:48 p.m.

"This white Charger just comes screaming up onto the sidewalk," said Richard Durante. "My wife and my son kind of froze and instinctively I just grabbed the two of them, and pulled them out of the way. The car, touching distance, rode past us and crashed into the columns and poles here. Obliterated them."

The Charger had crashed into The British Chip Shop and then kept going, nearly crashing into a group of teens on the sidewalk.

The car then turned left down Haddon Avenue, toward Audubon, as captured on video posted to social media.

"His vehicle becomes disabled within the borough of Audubon and then he exited the vehicle and then some altercations or incidents happened," said Haddonfield Police Chief Jason Cutler.

According to court documents, one woman told police he tried to grab her daughter and threatened to shoot her, saying that he needed a hostage.

Neighbors here say the man tried to get into several houses and vehicles, even breaking this home's window and sticking his head inside.

"I'm looking outside and I'm noticing across the street this man with a 2x4 smashing at the railing around their porch and trying to get in their door," said Lauren Campagnola of Audubon.

She called 911 and took cover in her house with her kids.

Eventually, police took Capacchione into custody. Two officers suffered minor injuries in the process.

"I just knew this was very bad and I didn't know where this was going to go and it was just very scary," said Compagnola.

There was no word on a motive and police are still investigating.