On May 3, 2023 at 12:32 A.M., Secaucus Police Officers Justin Machno and Jaden Gonzalez were on patrol in the area of Meadowlands Parkway and Route 3 West, when they observed a white 2014 Dodge Durango travelling at a high rate of speed. A check of the registration revealed the vehicle was stolen from Weehawken on May 2, 2023.
The officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, however the vehicle eluded police and drove onto Route 3 West at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. The Secaucus Police Officers pursued the stolen vehicle onto 120 North and onto Washington Avenue. The pursued continued through Moonachie and into Little Ferry. Secaucus Police Officers briefly lost sight of the stolen Dodge Durango around a curve, but moments later they located the vehicle after it crashed into a tree in the area of 31 Liberty Street in Little Ferry.
All of the occupants of the stolen vehicle exited the vehicle and attempted to flee, however they were all arrested, immediately thereafter. One of the occupants was located by the Little Ferry Police K-9 hiding behind a shed. The occupants were identified as two seventeen (17) males and one sixteen (16) year old male, all from Jersey City. All of the juveniles were transported to the Hackensack University Medical Center, to be treated for their injuries.
I will note that one of the juveniles involved in this pursuit was arrested for eluding police, receiving stolen property, et. al. on April 16, 2023 in Fort Lee, but was released. The investigation is ongoing and it is believed these juveniles may be involved in other car thefts within Hudson County.
“I support my officers’ decisions here, as they acted within the confines of the pursuit policy, but let’s be clear, the injuries sustained by these juveniles were a direct result of their delinquent behavior,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “Most car thieves, regardless of age, are recidivist offenders who will continue to commit crimes until our criminal justice system holds them accountable. I want to explicitly thank the East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Moonachie and Little Ferry Police Departments for their assistance.”
All of the juveniles were charged with Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7] and Conspiracy to Commit Receiving Stolen Property [2C:5-2/2C:20-7]. The sixteen (16) year old and one of the seventeen (17) year old males were also charged with Resisting Arrest by Flight [2C:29-2a(2)]. All were released to parent and/or guardian. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be filed.
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.
