Car Stolen As Driver Delivered Food In Waretown: Police

WARETOWN, NJ — A vehicle left running in the CVS parking lot was stolen on New Year’s Day while the driver delivered food to an employee, police said.

A man told police that an unknown suspect entered his blue 2020 Toyota that was parked in the parking lot and fled the scene travelling westbound on Wells Mills Road around 4 p.m.

The man's vehicle was left unlocked and running in the parking lot while he delivered food to an employee within the CVS, police said.

State Police later found the vehicle involved in a crash near exit 52 on the Garden State Parkway. The initial on-scene accident investigation revealed that the occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene following the accident.

Investigating troopers later located the vehicle’s operator and passengers at a local gas station near the accident scene.

Equallie Bumpass, 19, and Javier Lebrongarcia, 18, both of Pleasantville, were charged with theft of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit theft. They were processed and released on their own recognizance pending a scheduled court hearing.

Troopers also located two juveniles who also may have been passengers within the vehicle. The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.

Juvenile charges are pending further investigation.

Police are urging residents not to leave their vehicles unlocked and running.