On December 23, 2023, a Millridge Road resident reported their 2022 Hyundai Genesis stolen. While investigating, the stolen vehicle it became known that the juveniles burglarized the Millridge Road residence at 5:54 A.M. to steal the car keys. Furthermore, the juvenile burglars came to Secaucus in a Kia Forte that was reported stolen earlier that morning in Newark, which they left behind on Millridge Road.
The juveniles then traveled to Woodridge in the stolen Hyundai Genesis, where they attempted to burglarize two separate homes, but were startled by the residents at each and fled. The juvneiles then went to Carlstadt and attempted to steal a BMW, but fled after the resident exited his home. A short time later the stolen Hyundai Genesis was recovered in Irvington after it was involved in a crash, but all of the juveniles fled, prior to police arrival.
After an extensive follow up investigation, the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit made arrests in this case. On January 10, 2024, a 14-year-old male of Newark was arrested. He was lodged in the Essex County Juvenile Detention Facility. On January 16, 2024, a 14-year-old male of Orange was arrested, but released to his parent. A 15-year-old from Newark has also been charged, but has not been arrested as of this release. All of the juveniles were charged with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle [2C:20-10.2a], Motor Vehicle Theft [2C:20-10.1a], Burglary [2C:18-2a(1)], Theft [2C:20-3a] and Conspiracy to Burglary [2C:5-2a(1)/2C:18-2(a)(1)] for their crimes in Secaucus.
“An onoging trend plaguing communities throughout New Jersey are car thieves from the Essex County area travel to surrounding suburban areas to commit these types of burglaries to steal vehicles,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “Most car thieves, regardless of age, are recidivist offenders who will continue to commit crimes until our criminal and juvenile justice systems holds them accountable.”
The investigation is ongoing and the Secaucus Police Department is working with other agencies throughout the State and additional arrests and/or charges may follow. Anyone with additional information can contact the Secaucus Police Detective Division at (201) 330-2052 or detectivedivsion@secaucusnjpolice.gov. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
