EHT Shoplift Suspect Re-arrested for Threats, Witness Tampering

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Less than a week after being cut loose to await a hearing for a shoplifting charge, the suspect from Atlantic City is re-arrested and charged with witness tampering and terroristic threats.

Timothy Bowens, 55, was taken into custody Thursday after leading police on a chase along a bike path in Pleasantville, according to Egg Harbor Township authorities.

Police who probed the pilfering at the Shop Rite at about 10:41 on November 24, spotted the man they later identified as Bowens racing away in a black Nissan Xterra.

A short while later, Patrolman John D'Augustine attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop on Black Horse Pike, near Farr Avenue. According to police, Bowens kept driving eastbound towards Pleasantville, where investigators later found Bowen, the car and the goods.

He was charged in Egg Harbor Township with shoplifting, eluding, and failure to submit fingerprints, then released until his court date.

Five days later, on November 29, Egg Harbor Township police were called to a report of terroristic threats in the McKee City section. Patrolman Shane Gilson identified Bowens and determined that he had gone to his victim's house, threatened him, bashed out a couple of windows on the victim's car, and took off before police arrived.

Warrants were issued for his arrest for terroristic threats, witness tampering, harassment and criminal mischief, and a search ensued.

It ended the next day, when Bowens was chased down on the bike path between Sheffield and Decatur Avenues in Pleasantville, where he was additionally charged with resisting arrest, authorities said. Bowens is lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility until his hearing takes place.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.