By: Richard L. Smith
Two teenagers were taken into custody by Union Township Police on Friday morning following an attempted home invasion that led to a high-speed chase through multiple towns.
The incident began at 6:52 a.m. when a resident on a side street off Stuyvesant Avenue, near the Essex County border, called 9-1-1 to report that someone was trying to break into his home and vehicles.
According to police, the homeowner confronted the suspects, who fled to a waiting getaway vehicle, a white Honda Pilot SUV.
The SUV, which was later determined to be stolen from Hillside sped away towards Stuyvesant Avenue.
Thanks to a strategic adjustment of patrol hours and the increased presence of officers due to similar recent crimes, detectives quickly located the fleeing vehicle and initiated a pursuit.
The chase extended through Irvington and Newark, ultimately ending when the suspects' vehicle became disabled on Route 78 westbound.
After the vehicle came to a stop, four occupants fled on foot into Newark. Union Township detectives gave chase, and two of the suspects were apprehended by a patrol sergeant on Tillinghast Street.
The suspects, both 17-year-olds from Newark, were identified as being in the stolen vehicle and were arrested.
The teenagers have been charged with:
1. Attempted burglary of the home and burglary of the vehicles in the driveway.
2. Possession of a stolen vehicle.
3. Conspiracy.
4. Resisting arrest.
Both suspects were transported to the County Juvenile Detention Center, where they will remain until a hearing is scheduled to determine their release.
According to police, the resident had several high-end vehicles in his driveway, and investigators believe the juveniles intended to break into the home to steal the key fobs and take the cars.
Union Township detectives are continuing their investigation and are working with other local police departments to identify the remaining suspects involved in the crime.