Westfield Police Chief David Wayman
announced the arrest of nine people wanted in connection with two separate
car theft incidents that occurred Sunday.
According to police, officers responded to the 1200 block of Central Avenue on Sunday at approximately 7 a.m., for a crash. Arriving officers determined the vehicle - which was reported stolen out of Manalapan - crashed through a fence and into the bushes of a home. The four male occupants fled on foot and attempted to steal a vehicle on Tudor Oval but were unsuccessful. The suspects were taken into custody following a five-hour manhunt.
The second incident occurred Sunday evening at approximately 11:43 p.m. when Westfield Police saw a vehicle speeding North-bound on Prospect Street.
When officers approached vehicle, reported stolen out of Elizabeth, at the dead end section of Prospect, occupants took off on foot.
Following a foot pursuit, all the occupants - two girls and three boys ages 15 to 17 from Newark - were taken into custody.
Westfield Police Chief David Wayman reminds residents to take precautions against car theft. Reminding everyone to lock their cars and take their keys out of their cars, as a preventative measures.