Jersey city teens ram cops in stolen car, arrested and released to parents

Secaucus, NJ – Two teens from Jersey City were arrested early Monday morning after being found in a stolen vehicle at a Secaucus gas station.

At 2:42 a.m. on July 8, Police Officer Paul Miller discovered a stolen 2018 Jeep Wrangler at the Sunoco Gas Station on Route 3 East. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Jersey City on June 26. When Secaucus Police officers arrived, the 15-year-old driver from Jersey City intentionally rammed two occupied police vehicles, injuring one officer. The driver and two passengers then fled on foot.

Sergeant Aniello Schaffer apprehended the 16-year-old front seat passenger shortly after. Officers Dwight Wise and William Smith pursued and captured the 15-year-old driver on Route 3.

The third suspect, the rear seat passenger, stole a police vehicle and led officers on a chase through Jersey City, Kearny, and Newark. The stolen police vehicle was later found in Hillside by local police, but the suspect remains at large.

“The 15-year-old male driver was just released from the electronic bracelet program last month from previous arrests involving violence and is back committing crimes,” said Chief Dennis Miller. “These juveniles are criminals, and their actions bolster my opinion that they will continue to commit crimes without fear of repercussion. We must reform our Juvenile Justice System to hold juveniles accountable or this recidivism will continue.”

The 15-year-old driver faces charges including aggravated assault, possession of a weapon (vehicle) for an unlawful purpose, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to commit receiving a stolen vehicle. He was remanded to the Morris County Youth Detention Facility.

The 16-year-old passenger was charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and conspiracy to commit receiving a stolen vehicle. He was released to his parents, pending appearance in Family Court.

Chief Miller expressed gratitude to the Kearny and Hillside Police Departments, New Jersey State Police, and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the case.

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