Crime & Safety
Drew A. Earlington, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, was charged with 1st-degree kidnapping, 3rd-degree criminal restraint, and drug charges.
Posted Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:11 am ET
On June 5, the Pennsylvania State Police reported that Drew A. Earlington, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, eluded police in a motor vehicle in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and later called for a ride from an Uber driver. (Shutterstock)
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ — A Connecticut man is arrested after police say he kidnapped and restrained an Uber driver in their car while trying to escape from police with 130 pounds of marijuana in the trunk, said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson.
Drew A. Earlington, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal restraint, first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute, and disorderly persons possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
On June 5, the Pennsylvania State Police reported that Earlington eluded police in a motor vehicle in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and later called for a ride from an Uber driver.
When the Uber arrived, Earlington ordered the Uber driver to take him to New Jersey, during which he unlawfully confined the driver for a substantial period to flee from the Pennsylvania State Police, said Robeson.
The Uber driver surreptitiously contacted the police for help, after which New Jersey State Police Perryville Station Troopers found the Uber and conducted a motor vehicle stop.
The Uber driver told troopers that Earlington placed several bags into her vehicle after she picked him up.
The troopers found the duffel bags inside the vehicle containing around 130 pounds of suspected marijuana, said Robeson.
The Pennsylvania State Police also confirmed that they had seen the duffel bags in the vehicle Earlington was driving before he eluded them, said authorities.
Earlington is being held at the Warren County Correctional Center pending a pretrial detention hearing before Judge Christopher J. Garrenger on June 11.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-788-1129. Information can also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010.
All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Drew A. Earlington, 27, of Manchester, Connecticut, was charged with 1st-degree kidnapping, 3rd-degree criminal restraint, and drug charges. Read More
