A Newark man was arrested yesterday for the June theft of an Audi Q3 car in Secaucus, where he also rammed into police chiefs, Police Chief Dennise Miler announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On June 5th, 2024 at 1:02 a.m., a resident called the Secaucus Police Department and reported that their 2022 Audi Q3 was in the process of being stolen from the driveway of their Valley Court residence.
Police Officer Dwight Wise located the stolen vehicle on the Maple Street ramp and followed it toward the dead end of Maple Street.
Despite the marked police vehicles blocking the roadway, Rakim Thompson, 29, of Newark, purposely rammed several of the police vehicles, one of which was occupied, to escape and evade capture.
Thompson then fled in the stolen Audi where Secaucus Police Officer Salvatore Manente Jr. pursued him onto the New Jersey Turnpike.
After reaching excessively high speeds, Manente lost sight of the stolen Audi in the area of Route 80 West, therefore the vehicle pursuit was terminated.
Secaucus Police detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and identified Thompson as the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested on February 20th by members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.
“I fully support my officers’ actions here during their attempt to arrest this car thief and the decision to pursue him in the stolen vehicle, which was in accordance with existing policies and directives,” Miller added.
“Because the criminal element works tirelessly to prey on our residents, my detectives will work twice as hard to bring them to justice, and this arrest is evidence of just that. I commend my officers and detectives and thank the Essex County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
Thompson is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, eluding, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. He was processed and then lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Facility, authorities said.