Woman found hiding in Mount Olive shed

MOUNT OLIVE – A wanted woman was found hiding in a shed after her boyfriend was stopped while driving and went with an officer to her home, police said.

Officer Thomas Cuff was patrolling Flanders Netcong Road in the Flanders section of town on Sunday at about 9:30 p.m. when he saw a 2001 Honda with an equipment violation so he stopped it, police said.

Cuff knew the driver, James Kneer, 41, of Flanders, and believed that his driving privileges were suspended in New Jersey so he contacted police dispatch and confirmed that suspicion, police said.

Cuff had also learned that Kneer was on his way to see his girlfriend, Jeanine Cleirbaut, 24, of Flanders, who had a warrant out in her name from Rockaway Twp. Municipal Court with bail set at $2000, police said.

After the motor vehicle stop was completed, Cuff drove Kneer to Cleirbaut's residence and spoke to her father who answered the door of the Jocynda Road home.

After Cuff explained why he was there, the father said that his daughter was home and invited Cuff into the house.

Cuff subsequently learned, however, that Kneer had texted Cleirbaut that the police would be going to her home to pick her up on the warrant, police said.

After receiving the text, Cleirbaut left the residence through a rear door, police said.

Cuff noticed fresh footprints in the snow so he followed them to a shed located on a neighbors property. Cuff entered the shed and observed Cleirbaut hiding in the back of it.

Cuff gave Cleirbaut instructions to exit the shed but she refused so he attempted to handcuff her but she pulled away and resisted, police said.

Cuff was able to handcuff Cleirbaut and she was subsequently arrested and transported to police headquarters. Cleirbaut was charged with obstruction by flight, criminal trespass, and resisting arrest and then turned over to the Rockaway Twp. Police.

Kneer was charged with hindering the apprehension of another, driving while suspended, maintenance of lamps, and failure to exhibit documents. Kneer was released on his own recognizance and he has a pending court appearance.