Two New York women were arrested for carjacking a Mercedes-Benz from a Secaucus hotel last week after discovering that one suspect had gotten to New Jersey in a stolen vehicle, police said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On March 18th at 5:20 a.m., the Secaucus Police responded to the Embassy Suites Hotel, located at 455 Plaza Drive after receiving a report that a 2017 Mercedes-Benz was forcibly taken from the owner, Police Chief Dennis Miller said.
A responding patrol officer observed the carjacked vehicle on Harmon Meadow Boulevard and made an attempt to stop it, however the vehicle fled.
Police Officer Leonardo Minervini pursued the Mercedes onto Route 3 East, but the pursuit was terminated after the vehicle entered the Lincoln Tunnel and fled into New York City. The carjacking victim was not injured during the incident.
Det. Sean Egan and Police Officer Kristen Bronowich conducted a follow up investigation and the Mercedes was located on Madison Avenue in New York City.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect came to Secaucus while operating a Toyota Rav 4 that was stolen from New York City. That stolen vehicle was later recovered by Secaucus Police in the parking lot of the Embassy Suites Hotel.
As a result of the follow-up investigation, Lauren Allen, 33 of the Bronx, NY and Ebonee
Hazelwood, 32 of New York, NY were arrested, without incident, in the area of the Embassy Suites Hotel yesterday at approximately 3:10 P.M.
At the time of her arrest, Hazelwood was found in possession of the key to the Mercedes Benz.
“I am proud of the determination to solve this case exhibited by the investigators. This case is a representative example of the effort our Detective Division exhibits daily and I am thankful for that,” Miller said.
Hazelwood was charged with carjacking, eluding, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and receiving stolen property. She also had an active warrant from Irvington with a bail in the amount of $500.
Additionally, Allen was charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking and unlawful taking of means of conveyance. Allen had two active warrants out of Newark, each with a bail of $150.
They were then processed and remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
