A serial catalytic converter thief was busted with a handgun and a stolen vehicle in Secaucus yesterday, with Bayonne police, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and FBI assisting with the arrest, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Randy Severino, 24, of Bayonne, was charged with five counts of theft, five counts of criminal mischief, eluding, two counts of receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of handgun ammunition, resisting arrest, and motor vehicle theft, according to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller.
On June 16th, the Garfield Police Department notified surrounding jurisdictions of a suspect vehicle, a White colored Honda Civic, involved in catalytic converter thefts within their jurisdiction.
At 2:28 a.m., Secaucus Police Officer Jason Mitchell observed this vehicle on Route 3 East traveling at over 100 mph. The vehicle failed to stop for police and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit was later terminated once sight of the vehicle was lost in Jersey City and it was discovered that the 2013 Honda Civic was stolen from Newark in April of 2023.
Det. Sean Egan, of the Secaucus PD, was able to learn that the same vehicle was observed within an industrial area of town earlier in that night.
During a follow up investigation it became known that Severino had unlawfully stole numerous catalytic converters from five businesses in Secaucus.
Yesterday, Det. Sgt. Giacomo Sallustio and Egan of the Secaucus Police Department Detective Division along with detectives from the Bayonne Police Department, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the FBI went to Bayonne to serve Severino with arrest warrants for the aforementioned crimes.
Severino exited a Toyota Camry near his residence, that was later determined to be stolen from Jersey City.
Moments later, Severino was seen leaving his residence and after a brief foot pursuit, he was placed under arrest. At the time of his arrest a loaded 9mm Taurus Millennium semi-automatic pistol was recovered from his person.
“I want to thank all of the agencies that participated in this investigation. When law enforcement works collaboratively with one another criminals will operate with impunity. This arrest is just another example that car thieves pose a real threat to our communities,” Miller added.
