SECAUCUS, NJ — On Jan. 10 and 16, two teens from Newark were arrested and charged with breaking into a Secaucus home on Dec. 23 and stealing the car keys.
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The teens, ages 14 and 15, stole the homeowner’s 2022 Hyundai Genesis.
The break-in happened Dec. 23: A Millridge Road resident reported their car had been stolen. While investigating, police and the homeowners realized the juveniles broke into the home at 5:54 a.m. to steal the car keys.
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Furthermore, the teens came to Secaucus in a Kia Forte that was reported stolen earlier that morning in Newark, which they left behind on Millridge Road.
The juveniles then traveled to Woodridge in the stolen Hyundai Genesis, where they attempted to burglarize two separate homes, but were startled by the residents at each home, and fled.
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The juveniles then went to Carlstadt and attempted to steal a BMW, but fled after the resident exited his home.
A short time later the stolen Hyundai Genesis was recovered in Irvington after it was involved in a crash, but all of the juveniles fled prior to police arrival.
The Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit investigated the case extensively for weeks after it happened.
The 14-year-old Newark teen was arrested Jan. 10; the 16-year-old Newark teen was arrested Jan. 16.
The older teen was released to his parents, but the younger was lodged in the Essex County Juvenile Detention Facility.
A 15-year-old from Newark has also been charged, but has not been arrested as of this release. All of the juveniles were charged with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle [2C:20-10.2a], Motor Vehicle Theft [2C:20-10.1a], Burglary [2C:18-2a(1)], Theft [2C:20-3a] and Conspiracy to Burglary [2C:5-2a(1)/2C:18-2(a)(1)] for their crimes in Secaucus.
“An ongoing trend plaguing communities throughout New Jersey are car thieves from the Essex County-area traveling to surrounding suburban areas to commit these types of burglaries to steal vehicles,” Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. “Most car thieves, regardless of age, are recidivist offenders who will continue to commit crimes until our criminal and juvenile justice systems holds them accountable.”
NJ lawmakers are split on how tough the justice system should be on car thieves, particularly teenage car thieves. Read more: NJ Car Theft Bills Advance, Despite Protests From Advocates
Anyone with additional information can contact the Secaucus Police Detective Division at (201) 330-2052 or [email protected]
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