Two Newark men have been accused of shoplifting over $800 worth of merchandise from Route 22 store, ensuing police on a chase that ultimately came to a halt in Hillside authorities said.
According to the Union Police Department, police received a call at 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 2nd from Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2700 Rt. 22.
Store officials reported a shoplifting in which a suspect ran out of the store with a large bag of clothing and was observed getting into a white Dodge Van.
An employee, who saw suspects fleeing eastbound on Rt. 22, provided officers with a possible license plate, police said.
Two officers who were further east on Rt. 22, stayed on the lookout I'm case the Dodge van continued eastbound.
A white van passed the officers near Vauxhall Rd., so the officers pulled out to see if it was the wanted van.
When the driver allegedly saw the marked police car, it sped up and started to drive erratically.
The driver of the van continued on Rt. 22 into Hillside and was weaving in and out of heavy traffic police said.
He was passing cars while driving on the shoulder, but came to a halt when it struck a parked tractor trailer that was on the shoulder of the highway near Bloy St.
The van was disabled due to the crash and the officers pulled up and rendered 1st aid to the 2 men, who were injured in the crash.
Union EMS eventually transported both of the men to University Hospital, Newark.
The stolen items in the car were recovered and will be returned to the store.
The 2 men in the car were identified as:
**1. Steven Kearney, 54, of Newark.
2. Abdull Kearney, 42, of Newark.**
Both men are being charged with shoplifting over $800 worth of items from Dicks Sporting Goods.
The driver, Steven Kearney, also received summons for his motor vehicle violations.
They were later served with their criminal complaints and left at the hospital.
The men and van fit the description of 2 other recent crimes at Dicks Sporting Goods.
On 10/26 and on 10/27 the same suspects also shoplifted a large amount of clothing and ran out of the store police said.
These crimes are being investigated by Detective Sergio Pereira.
If anyone has any information on these crimes, please call Detective Pereira at 908-851-5030. Calls will be kept confidential
Photo: Hillside Fire FMBA