Police: 2 Teens’ Crime Spree Ends After Stolen Car Crashes in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ

A crime spree involving two teenagers that spanned across several Atlantic County municipalities has ended thanks to the hard work of police officers from several departments.

The beginning of the end for the juveniles happened around 7:30 Thursday morning when police in Absecon located a stolen vehicle from Northfield in the McDonald's parking lot on the White Horse Pike in Absecon.

Authorities said they tried to stop the vehicle, but it fled and a pursuit was called off for safety reasons.

Shortly thereafter, that vehicle crashed into a utility pole off Delilah Road.

Witnesses were able to tell police that the driver and passenger(s) fled from the crash.

After a perimeter was established by Egg Harbor and Galloway Township police officers and a K9, a 13-year-old from Atlantic City was taken into custody.

Then, Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Frederick Spano observed a suspect from that vehicle fleeing along the shoulder of the Atlantic City Expressway.

Chief Spano maneuvered on foot down the Fire Road overpass embankment and was able to intercept the subject, who was arrested underneath the overpass by him and members from the New Jersey State Police. The subject was a 17-year-old from Pleasantville.

The Egg Harbor Township Police Department says that prior to this incident, the pair was involved in several vehicle burglaries in Longport and Egg Harbor Township and were subsequently found to be in possession of stolen property from those incidents.

This investigation remains open and police are looking to see if the duo was involved in other car break-ins.

Charges

The 13-year-old was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, theft, and several traffic offenses. He was subsequently lodged in a juvenile detention facility after being turned over to Northfield Police for additional charges.

The 17-year-old was charged with receiving stolen property and theft and was subsequently released after being placed on a home electronic detention system.

Don't be the next victim

Police say in order to deter motor vehicle thefts and burglaries, it is important for community members to work together and be vigilant in reporting and sharing information; call Atlantic County Crime Stoppers at (609) 652-1234. You may remain anonymous.