High-Speed Chase Ensues After 6 Cars Targeted in Spree

There were four car break-ins and two cars stolen, one of which led Livingston police officers on a high-speed chase, early Friday morning, according to authorities. 

The break-ins and thefts were all committed within a few blocks of one another in the north end of the township near Interstate 280, said Livingston Police Sgt. Anthony Dippold. Police believe these crimes were committed by the same group of people.

“These are all connected, without a doubt,” Dippold said. 

Livingston Police first noticed a 2010 Honda Accord parked in the driveway at 128 N. Livingston Ave. with its interior lights and doors open around 3 a.m. Friday, said Dippold. A few personal files were taken from the car and there was no sign of forced entry. 

Minutes later nearby, Livingston Police saw two cars at the intersection of Mansfield Court and E. McClellan Avenue. One of the cars had its headlights off, said Dippold, and police unable to identify the vehicle but believed it was a black Mercedez Benz.  

The Livingston Police attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but both vehicles sped up and turned onto Interstate 280. Police chased the two cars but they were able to escape, Dippold said. 

At the same time around 3:05 a.m., police found a Chevrolet Trailblazer with its doors open and interior lights on at 10 Brandon Ave. Baseball equipment was reported stolen from the SUV, according to reports.  

At 5 Mansfield Court, police spotted yet another car ransacked at 3:13 a.m. A 2012 Toyota Camry was broken into, and a navigation device and Apple iPad were reported stolen, said Dippold. 

At 43 E. McClellan Ave. at 3:18 a.m., police found a Porsche Cayenne with its interior lights on and ransacked. The owner of the car told police nothing was missing, said Dippold.  

Then at 7 Mansfield Court at 3:23 p.m., police noticed muddy tracks leading from the driveway onto the street, said Dippold. Police spoke to the homeowner who confirmed his car, a 2011 black Honda Accord, was stolen. 

It wasn’t until around 8 a.m. that the homeowner at 181 Laurel Ave. reported a Mercedes Benz SC stolen, said Dippold. The owner told police the keys were left in the car and the doors were unlocked.

Police believe this stolen Mercedes Benz was the car that led police on the high speed chase and escaped down Interstate 280 earlier that day.