Jersey City, NJ : 13-year-old crashes stolen car, had keys from carjackings, police say on Friday, 14th October 2016
A 13-year-old Newark boy was arrested early Friday after he crashed a stolen sport utility vehicle and ran from police in the city, authorities said.
Detectives with the police division's Special Enforcement Bureau spotted the teen driving a Ford Edge near South Orange Avenue and South 18th Street around 4 a.m., according to Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. Police turned on their lights and sirens to stop the Ford, which matched the description of a stolen car used in a Maplewood robbery.
In an effort to escape, the teen drove in reverse but crashed into a fence, leaving the vehicle disabled, Ambrose said. Detectives captured the teen after a short foot chase.
Police discovered the teen had three key fobs that matched vehicles from earlier carjackings or attempts, Ambrose added. Police were investigating if the boy was involved in incidents from Maplewood and Orange.
"Thirteen-year-olds should be asleep in preparation for school at 4 a.m. and not roaming our streets committing crimes," Ambrose added in statement. "The officers did an excellent job of apprehending the suspect without anyone getting injured."The teen was charged with offenses, including receiving stolen property and resisting arrest. Ambrose said the court instructed police to release the youngster to a relative's custody after processing.
The arrest marked at least the second time since last week where a juvenile was accused of crashing a stolen car in the city. Last Friday, police said a 15-year-old Newark boy carjacked a woman at gunpoint in Hillside before slamming into another car at Bergen Street and Pomona Avenue.
"We are contacting the Newark Board of Education and the Department of Children and Families in an effort to see what more can be done to help ensure our kids avoid criminal activities and engage in activities that ensure they have prosperous futures," Ambrose added.
Hours before the 13-year-old was arrested in Newark, a woman in Maplewood reported she got into her car on Warren Road when a white SUV pulled up next to her around 9:30 p.m.
An assailant got out of the passenger side and grabbed the woman's car door to stop her from closing it while he yelled "get out, get out, get out," Maplewood police Sgt. Christopher Black said. The woman started screaming and the suspect took off. Black said the woman, who was not hurt, believed the attacker was trying to take her car, but he never announced a robbery.
Maplewood police increased patrols and alerted other law enforcement agencies, according to Black, who said the investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information on that case was asked to call 973-762-3400. Maplewood police did not confirm if the incidents were related.
Ambrose also urged anyone with information about the Newark investigation to call the 24-hour toll-free Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Police said Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could lead to a reward.
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13-year-old crashes stolen car, had keys from carjackings, police say