Police in Newark are reporting that two separate auto theft incidents resulted in back-to-back arrests in the 2nd Precinct on Friday, March 18.
Police said shortly before 8:30 a.m., a 2nd Precinct officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Jay Street regarding a suspicious parked Audi left running and unattended.
As the officer was investigating the scene, a male wearing a ski mask attempted to enter the vehicle and flee.
Authorities said the officer interrupted this action and the suspect attempted to flee on foot.
After a brief foot pursuit, a 14-year-old male suspect was apprehended and charged with Theft of Movable Property and Resisting Arrest.
The Audi was stolen from New York City on March 17.
In the other incident, police said at approximately 2:30 pm, a 2nd Precinct unit was in the area of Mt. Prospect Avenue and Montclair when they observed a Maserati disregard a traffic signal and collided with a black sedan vehicle.
As the patrol unit approached the scene, two males exited the Maserati and attempted to flee. Both officers immediately pursued the suspects.
While the officer walked throughout the Mt. Prospect business district, reminding patrons and business owners of the hazards of leaving a vehicle running and unattended, he responded to the call for assistance along with units from the 7th Precinct. Captain Rodriguez was able to
apprehend the driver of the Maserati while 2nd Precinct officers arrested the passenger.
The officer sustained a minor injury while making the apprehension, and was treated and released from a local hospital.
Police say Mr. Nakee G. Beckett, 19, from Newark, NJ, and Mr. Malachi N. Latimer (pictured), 18, from Newark were charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest, and Obstructing the Administration of Law. The Maserati was stolen from Riverdale, NJ, on March 17, 2022.
These charges are merely accusations. These suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Director O’Hara urges anyone with information about the crime to call the Newark Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.