Auto theft suspects who reportedly stole a vehicle left running in a driveway, escaped after a foot pursuit.
According to police, on December 16th at 7:38 pm, officers responded to Brunella Avenue on a report of a theft of a motor vehicle which had been left running while parked in the driveway of the homeowners.
Within minutes, a patrol unit located the stolen vehicle at the intersection of New Brunswick Avenue and Brunella Avenue, still running, but unoccupied.
During a canvass of the area for potential suspect(s), an officer spotted three males walking along New Brunswick Avenue. When the Officer attempted to make contact with the males, a foot pursuit ensued into a heavily wooded area into South Plainfield near the CSX Railroad Crossing.
Piscataway Township Police enlisted the assistance of a K-9 Unit from the South Plainfield Police Department and the Aviation Unit of the New Jersey State Police in an attempt to locate the suspects. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
The auto theft and the identity of those responsible remain under investigation.
Police said that social media claims that gun shots were heard during the search for the suspects are untrue. There is no indication or evidence that the suspect(s) were armed or fired any weapon during the incident.
Anyone with information relative to this case are asked to contact Detective Todd Ritter of the General Investigations Section at (732) 562-2359 or those with information that wish to remain anonymous can call the Piscataway Police TIPS Line at (732) 562-2360.
Police also remind residents to use judgment when leaving a parked vehicle running and unattended in their driveway or apartment complex. Understand that the vehicle then becomes a “target of opportunity” by potential car thieves.