Two 15-year-old juveniles were arrested in Guttenberg after crashing a stolen scooter last week, which occurred after they fled from officers attempting to pull them over, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On October 3rd, members of the Guttenberg Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau were conducting targeted enforcement related to scooters and e-bikes, according to Police Lt. Aleksandar Ramadanovic.
During the enforcement detail, officers observed two individuals on a scooter, driving on 68th Street. The driver and passenger of the scooter were both not wearing helmets.
A motor vehicle stop was attempted, but the driver and passenger on the scooter fled the scene. A short time later, officers noticed the same two individuals on the scooter, stopped behind another vehicle on 68th Street, near Bergenline Avenue.
As officers began approaching the scooter, the individuals attempted to flee again, before crashing into the side of a building. At that point, the passenger of the scooter jumped off and attempted to run on foot, as the driver attempted to drive away on the scooter.
After a brief physical altercation, Det. Lt. Steve Diaz and Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec successfully arrested one 15-year-old from Guttenberg and one 15-year-old from West New York.
During the on-scene investigation, officers uncovered that the scooter they were utilizing was stolen from West New York.
Both juveniles were charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful taking of means of conveyance, resisting arrest/eluding an officer, two counts of criminal mischief, and obstructing the administration of law.
At the completion of their arrest processing, both juveniles were released to their parents with summons complaints, pending their initial court appearances.
“I want to thank the members of the Guttenberg Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Bureau for apprehending two individuals who posed a threat to the safety of our residents and the motorists in the area. One of the juveniles apprehended was found to have been recently arrested for a similar incident in a nearby Bergen County jurisdiction,” Police Chief Frank Pelaez said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, these arrests appear not to be re-enforcing law and order for juveniles. Too many times, we see juvenile offenders offend, then re-offend, without any meaningful consequences imposed, all as a result of the current state of juvenile justice reform. With that said, I want to inform our residents that our organization will continue to apprehend offenders of all ages to protect our community.”
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, they are urged to contact the Guttenberg PD at 201-868-3300 or email Lt. Steven Diaz at sdiaz@guttenbergpolice.org or
Det. Sgt. Marcin Rysiec at mrysiec@guttenbergpolice.org.
