Two Newark men charged after attempted BMW theft in Cranford, police say
CRANFORD, NJ — Two Essex County men have been charged in connection with an attempted vehicle theft in Cranford earlier this year, authorities said.
Police responded around 7:41 a.m. on Feb. 5 to a home on Georgia Street after receiving a report of suspects trying to steal a vehicle.
According to investigators, a resident confronted a masked man sitting inside her BMW. The suspect then fled the vehicle and ran to a waiting white BMW sedan, which sped off.
Authorities later determined the getaway car had been stolen.
Following an investigation by the Cranford Police Detective Bureau, Zayon Smallwood, 22, and Zaire Valencia, 23, both of Newark, were charged.
Smallwood faces a charge of attempted motor vehicle theft, while Valencia was charged with conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft.
Both men are currently being held in the Essex County Jail on unrelated charges, police said.
Key Points
- Two Newark men were charged in an attempted BMW theft in Cranford
- The suspect was confronted by the victim before fleeing in a stolen vehicle
- Both suspects are currently jailed on unrelated charges