Three Jersey City teenagers were arrested after taking Secaucus police on a high-speed pursuit on Route 3 in a stolen vehicle early this morning, Police Chief Dennis Miller announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
This morning at about 12:32 a.m., Secaucus Police Officers Justin Machno and Jaden Gonzalez were on patrol in the area of Meadowlands Parkway and Route 3 West when they observed a white 2014 Dodge Durango traveling at a high rate of speed, Miller said in a statement.
A check of the registration revealed the vehicle was stolen from Weehawken yesterday. The officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, however the vehicle eluded police and drove onto Route 3 West at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour.
The officers pursued the stolen vehicle onto 120 North and onto Washington Avenue. Those pursued continued through Moonachie and into Little Ferry.
While Secaucus police briefly lost sight of the stolen Dodge Durango around a curve, but moments later they located the vehicle after it crashed into a tree in the area of 31 Liberty St. in Little Ferry.
All of the occupants of the stolen vehicle exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, however they were all arrested, immediately thereafter. One of the occupants was located by the Little Ferry Police K-9 hiding behind a shed.
The occupants were identified as two 17-year-olds and 16-year-old, all male and from Jersey City. They were transported to the Hackensack University Medical Center, to be treated for their injuries.
One the juveniles involved in this pursuit was arrested for eluding police, receiving stolen property, et. al. on April 13th in Fort Lee, but was since released.
The investigation is ongoing and it is believed these juveniles may be involved in other car thefts within Hudson County.
“I support my officers’ decisions here, as they acted within the confines of the pursuit policy, but let’s be clear: the injuries sustained by these juveniles were a direct result of their delinquent behavior,” Miller explained.
“Most car thieves, regardless of age, are recidivist offenders who will continue to commit crimes until our criminal justice system holds them accountable. I want to explicitly thank the East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Moonachie and Little Ferry Police Departments for their assistance.”
All of the juveniles were charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property. The 16-year-old and one of the 17-year-olds were also charged with resisting arrest by flight.
All were released to parent and/or guardian. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be filed, Miller added.
Anyone with additional information can contact the Secaucus Police Detective Division at (201) 330-2052 or detectivedivsion@secaucusnjpolice.gov.
