Authorities in New Jersey are currently on the lookout for a thief who made off with a police cruiser in the early hours of Monday morning.
Around 2:42 a.m., officers attempted to apprehend a group of teenagers who were driving a stolen vehicle from Jersey City.
At a Sunoco gas station on Route 3 in Secaucus, the police were able to spot the stolen 2018 Jeep Wrangler.
The vehicle, upon being signaled to stop by the police, intentionally collided into two Secaucus police vehicles that had occupants inside.
A knee injury was sustained by an officer.
Police were able to capture the driver, a 15-year-old boy, and his front seat passenger, a 16-year-old boy, who attempted to flee from the scene.
While in the stolen Jeep, a third suspect who was seated at the rear, proceeded to enter a police vehicle that was marked and swiftly drove away.
The suspect led the cops on a high-speed chase through Jersey City, Kearny, and Newark, allegedly driving at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. The police followed him in their vehicles throughout the pursuit.
The police car was left behind in Hillside after the perpetrator managed to escape.
The fugitive is still at large and evading capture.
“The electronic bracelet program released the 15-year-old male driver just last month, despite previous arrests involving violence. Chief Dennis Miller expressed concern that these juveniles, despite their age, are already criminals and are likely to continue committing crimes without fear of repercussion. It is time to reform our Juvenile Justice System and hold these juveniles accountable for their actions to prevent recidivism. We need to recognize that not every juvenile can be rehabilitated and provide prosecutors with the necessary tools to prosecute these criminals. If we do not take action, they will continue to plague our communities. Chief Miller also thanked the Kearny and Hillside Police Departments, New Jersey State Police, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
Eyewitness News received footage from several homeowners showing police officers using flashlights and drones to search driveways and yards for the individual who stole a police cruiser and abandoned it on Bond Street before fleeing.
Some were jolted awake by the commotion of the early morning, while others only discovered it upon reviewing their footage.
Chris, a resident of Hillside, expressed his concern about the recent situation in the area, stating, “It’s a little scary because my family is here, and we wanted to make sure everybody is okay. Normally, we don’t have that kind of issue around here.”
Charges have been filed against the 15-year-old driver, including aggravated assault, possession of a weapon (vehicle) for unlawful purposes, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to commit receiving a stolen vehicle.
The authorities ordered his detention at the Morris County Youth Detention Facility.
A 16-year-old passenger has been charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to commit receiving a stolen vehicle. The teenager has been released to his parents, and is set to appear in Family Court.
If you have any further details, you can get in touch with the Secaucus Police Detective Division through (201) 330-2052 or [email protected].
