7 From Essex Co. Face Stolen Car Charges: Paramus PD

PARAMUS, NJ – Seven Essex County residents face charges after police say they were pulled over in a stolen car early Monday morning in Paramus.

Around 12:38 a.m., police received a report that people were trying to break into cars in the area of Arbor Road and Bush Place, according to Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg.

When Officer Don Liu arrived to investigate, he spotted a 2014 white Jeep Grand Cherokee leaving the neighborhood, driving onto Ridgewood Avenue, the chief said.

He also noted that there were seven people inside of the Jeep. A computer check revealed the car had been stolen on Nov. 29 in Asbury Park after its owner left the key fob inside, Ehrenberg said.

Liu tried to pull the Jeep over, but its driver fled on Ridgewood Avenue, onto Chimes Road, to Glen Avenue and then onto Route 17 south, the chief said.

When the driver finally stopped on the highway by Ridgewood Avenue, two of the vehicle's occupants, Shakur Williams and Jamal Bankston, got out and fled on foot, Ehrenberg said.

Both were captured after brief foot pursuits, the chief said.

Paramus Police Sgt. Sean Nutland, Officer Tom Holden, Officer Christian Tsentas, Officer Mike Focarino, Officer William Stallone and Officer Matt Mulick, along with Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Officer So Lorenc also arrived at the scene, the chief said.

All seven individuals were arrested and taken to Paramus police department. After processing, the adults were released on their own recognizance and the teens were released to a relative, the chief said.

The following were arrested and charged:

• Juvenile female, 17-year-old, Newark: Eluding Police, Possession of Stolen Vehicle
• Juvenile female, 17-year-old, East Orange: Possession of Stolen Vehicle
• Keileen Abreu, 18-year-old, Newark: Possession of Stolen Vehicle
• Nazjamir Hobson-Brown, 19-year-old, Newark: Possession of Stolen Vehicle
• Shakur William, 18-year-old, Irvington: Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Eluding Police
• Jamal Bankston, 18-year-old, Newark: Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Eluding Police
• Jehiel Thomas, 19 year-old, Newark: Possession of Stolen Car, Possession Burglar Tools.