TOMS RIVER, NJ – A Newark man who was riding in a BMW stolen out of New York City got off the Garden State Parkway at the wrong exit early Saturday morning. A chase that started on the Parkway at Exit 63 went 15 miles before ending just south of Toms River.
According to police, at approximately 1:23 AM, officers from the Stafford Township Police Department received a notification on their fixed License Plate Reader (LPR) located on Route 72 East in the area of the Garden State Parkway for a stolen BMW out of New York City.
“During this time, the BMW was monitored by the Stafford Township Communications Center with additional LPR hits from LPRs on Long Beach Island, and on the Route 72 Causeway Bridge,” police said. “A short time later, Stafford Officers observed the stolen 2021 black BMW SUV traveling at a high rate of speed westbound over the Causeway Bridge, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.”
Police said officers pursued the BMW westbound on Route 72 until the northbound exit onto the Garden State Parkway.
“At this time, Stafford Officers successfully deployed tire deflation devices, also known as spike strips, damaging the two front tires of the stolen BMW,” police said. “Even with damaged tires, the stolen BMW continued northbound on the parkway. Briefly, it exited off the parkway into Barnegat Township, but quickly reentered onto the parkway continuing northbound.”
Seven miles later, at approximately milepost 79.6, the stolen car became disabled and three subjects fled from the vehicle.
“With the assistance of several departments, including the New Jersey State Police, Toms River Police Department, Beachwood Police Department, and the South Toms River Police Department, two of the three subjects were quickly apprehended,” police said.
The suspects were identified as Joseph Young-Stewart 25 years old of Newark, N.J., and Tamir Pitts 18 years old of Newark, N.J. Both were charged with numerous criminal charges and offenses, and transported to the Ocean County Jail. The additional subject, whose identity is unknown, has not been located.