Law enforcement arrested a Newark NJ man accused of committing a string of car thefts throughout New Jersey.
According to authorities, the 18-year-old suspect was apprehended while driving a stolen vehicle in Newark, NJ. The suspect allegedly took the vehicle from a residence located on Philip Drive in Mendham Township, New Jersey.
Investigators connected the suspect to the auto theft after looking at surveillance video footage taken during the incident.
The suspect was later connected to a number of other thefts out of Fairfield, New Jersey. At this time, police are still searching for at least two other individuals who may have had roles in the Fairfield NJ car thefts. Police also believe that the suspect, and his cohorts, might have been responsible for several other auto thefts in Essex County, Morris County, Bergen County, Passaic County, and Union County.
If the suspect is ultimately convicted of auto theft, he faces severe criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3, anyone who unlawfully takes an automobile with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle can be charged with a third degree crime. A conviction on third degree auto theft charges could lead to a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison, as well as a heavy monetary fine.
After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspect was remanded to the Essex County Jail in Newark, NJ. He was being held at the correctional facility in lieu of a $25K bail amount.
For more information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Suspect in Fairfield Car Theft Arrested, Other Thefts under Investigation.”
