Police in Newark are reporting the arrest of Tijeer White, 18, and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both from Newark, for vehicle theft following a police pursuit that began in Newark and ended in Hillside today.
According to a statement relased by police, shortly after midnight, a 5th Precinct Police Sergeant ending his shift heard that a black 2013 Mercedes Benz, which was a suspect vehicle in several robberies in Newark, Bloomfield and Belleville, had been seen driving at a high speed on Elizabeth Avenue.
Police say the Sergeant pursued the vehicle, followed by another police vehicle from the 5th Precinct.
The suspect vehicle traveled south on Elizabeth Avenue, east on Meeker Avenue and North on Empire Street before turning west onto Route 22 according to police.
Police say the vehicle continued west on Route 22 into Hillside where the driver then lost control and crashed into a fire hydrant at Hillside Place and Route 22 West.
Three suspects ran from the vehicle, which had been reported stolen out of Maplewood.
Tijeer White and the 16-year old male were immediately apprehended. The third suspect remains at-large.
“I commend the police sergeant for his immediate response to a situation that jeopardized the safety of the people of the City of Newark and those of its neighboring municipalities,” Director Ambrose said. “Each of the officers involved in this incident did an exceptional job in quickly apprehending these suspects without the use of force and with no injuries to the suspects.”
Police say Tijeer White, who was the driver, is charged with Eluding, Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest and Hindering the Administration of the Law. The juvenile faces charges of Receiving Stolen Property and Resisting Arrest.
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This investigation is continuing.