Police Arrest 2 Essex Teens In Marlboro Car Burglary; 2 Sought

MARLBORO, NJ — A resident called police at 3 a.m. Monday after they saw a man trying to get into their locked car, resulting in a police pursuit with the arrests of two teenagers over the township border in Old Bridge.

The resident said a male, dressed in black, was on their driveway attempting to enter their vehicle - but he couldn't because the doors were locked and it had a CLUB device installed on the steering wheel, police said.

The male left the property and got into a dark colored SUV, police said, and fled the area.

However, the caller was able to provide police with the suspect's direction of travel and a short time later, the vehicle was spotted by Patrolman Matthew Gomolka in the residential development, police said.

The SUV left the development and passed Patrolman Aaron Murdock who was able to identify four males wearing hoodies pulled over their heads. Murdock attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle refused to pull over and a pursuit was begun.

According to police, the pursuit came to an end on Route 9 North in neighboring Old Bridge when the SUV drove over a curb and the driver stopped the vehicle.

All four of the occupants immediately ran from the vehicle and into nearby woods, police said.

Two occupants of the SUV were located about 100 yards into the woods by Marlboro police officers, with the assistance of the Old Bridge Police Department.

An extensive search of the area for the final two occupants was conducted by officers from Marlboro and Old Bridge police and New Jersey State Troopers, but was unsuccessful.

The SUV used in the incident was found to be a 2017 Kia Sportage, reported stolen in Irvington, police said.

Police made the following arrests in the incident: A 17-year old from Orange and a 15-year-old from Newark were arrested, and, after an initial investigation, were charged with burglary, eluding and receiving stolen property, police said.

Both juveniles were turned over to the custody of their parents later on Monday, police said.

The identity of the remaining two occupants in the stolen vehicle remains unknown and is under investigation by the Marlboro Township Police Detective Bureau.

Marlboro police and the governing body have taken many steps to combat car thefts in the township and the rates of thefts have declined, Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik has noted. In November, free car steering wheel locks were given to residents who requested them, for example.