Rehab Patients Run Away, Steal Car In Mendham Twp.: Cops

MENDHAM TWP., N.J. – Two juveniles being rehabilitated at the Daytop Facility in Mendham ran away Friday night and stole a before police caught up to them, Mendham Township Acting Police Chief Ross Johnson said.

Around 9 p.m. Friday, Mendham Township police were alerted by Mendham Borough police that two juveniles had run away from the Daytop Rehabilitation Center and may be in the area of the Ralston section of Mendham Township, Johnson said.

Around 10:34 p.m., Officer Kalweit of the Mendham Township Police department saw a vehicle sitting at the end of the driveway on Mendham Road west with its parking lights on. Kalweit knows the resident and noticed a passenger and driver in the car that matched the description of the runaways, Johnson said.

Kalweit believed the two may have stolen the resident’s vehicle and turned his patrol car around when the driver began heading east on Mendham Road, Johnson said.

When Kalweit approached the vehicle and attempted to stop it, the drive accelerated in an attempt to flee and then turned on to a cul-de-sac where it came to a stop a short distance later, Johnson said.

Kalweit was assisted by Sgt. Taquinto and the Mendham Borough Police Department.

The driver and passenger were both arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and burglary. The driver also received numerous motor vehicle summonses including being an unlicensed driver and operating a vehicle without owner’s consent.

Both juveniles were lodged in the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center.