Clifton Police Lt. Robert Bracken said at approximately 3 a.m. on Monday, officers responded to the area of Chittendon Road on the report of a motor vehicle theft in progress.
Lt. Bracken said officers arrived on the scene and interrupted the act.
In response, the suspect operating the freshly stolen vehicle (a 2017 Mazda) bailed out of the car while it was still in motion resulting in an officer having to dive into the moving vehicle to avoid it causing damage to adjacent property Lt. Bracken said.
The suspect, along with at least two others, fled into the neighboring streets.
After an extensive search, one of the suspects was apprehended after trying to flee the neighborhood.
Lt. Bracken said the suspect was identified as a 17-year-old male from Orange.
The two remaining suspects ended up stealing a vehicle in a nearby jurisdiction.
According to Lt. Bracken, that particular vehicle was in the process of being loaded with suitcases as the family was leaving for vacation.
This vehicle was pursued briefly before officers disengaged.
A further investigation revealed that these suspects were responsible for a rash of car burglaries that occurred in Clifton before the Chittendon Road incident.
The 17-year-old suspect arrested by our agency, who had a prior carjacking and a lengthy criminal history, was released to a parent/guardian in place of juvenile detention, according to Lt. Bracken.
Later in the day, at approximately 9 p.m., officers responded to the area of Sergeant Avenue on the report of additional motor vehicle thefts in progress, possibly involving the stolen vehicle from earlier in the day (with family luggage), specifically, a 2018 Audi Q7.
Officers arrived in the area and located the vehicle in question.
A pursuit then ensued through the streets of Clifton, onto Route 3 West to Parkway South and Rt 280.
The pursuit continued throughout the City of Newark, Township of Maplewood, and South Orange Village, eventually entering the township of Union.
While in Union, Clifton officers became involved in an accident with the fleeing vehicle and placed all six occupants into custody without incident.
“These individuals were confirmed to have been involved with the incident that occurred earlier in the day and were returning to the City of Clifton to steal vehicles using key fobs stolen during the previous incident,” Lt. Bracken.
Arrested were a 17-year-old male from Newark, a 16-year-old female from Edison, a 14-year-old female from Plainfield, a 15-year-old female from Plainfield, a 16-year-old male from Newark, a 15-year-old male from Newark.
Lt. Bracken many gave false names and were charged accordingly and the charges stemming from the stolen vehicle.