By: Richard L. Smith
Union Township police arrested three individuals, including two juveniles, after a stolen vehicle rammed several unmarked police cars in an attempt to evade capture on Friday evening.
According to the Union Township Police Department, the incident occurred around 5:20 PM on December 29th, when officers from the Quality of Life (QoL) unit spotted a stolen 2021 Acura RDX traveling along Galloping Hill Road in the 5 Points area.
The car had been reported stolen during a home burglary in Orange, New Jersey, the previous night.
An officer in an unmarked vehicle followed the stolen car while coordinating with other units. Near Galloping Hill Mall at 1350 Galloping Hill Road, officers attempted to block the car and prevent a high-speed pursuit. However, the driver, a 16-year-old from Newark, repeatedly rammed the unmarked police vehicles in an effort to escape.
The officers eventually stopped the vehicle and took all three occupants into custody without injury to the suspects. One officer sustained injuries from the ramming and was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Jeremiah Byrd, 21, of Newark, was identified as a passenger in the stolen vehicle. Byrd had previously been arrested by Union officers in 2020 for armed carjacking.
The driver, the 16-year-old, was charged with eluding police, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon – the car itself. He was sent to the Union/Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.
The third occupant, another juvenile, was also arrested. All three face charges related to the possession of the stolen vehicle.
Upon searching the car, officers discovered multiple key fobs and credit cards belonging to other individuals.
Detectives are working to identify the owners of the recovered property and are coordinating with Orange police to determine if the three suspects were involved in the initial burglary.
Police believe the suspects were in Union looking for additional targets when they were apprehended.
The investigation remains ongoing.