Fairfield (NJ) The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of six juveniles all between the ages of 12-14 years old, whose names are being withheld due to their age, for receiving stolen property and other offenses on June 4, 2023. On that date at approximately 3:03 am, police headquarters received a call from a Big Piece Road resident who observed several individuals pulling on car door handles in his driveway. They were seen leaving the area towards Horseneck Road driving a red sedan.
Officers checked the area and Corporal Steven D’Argenio located a vehicle matching that description a short time later on Esposito Drive. Cpl. D’Argenio and other officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, however the vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit ensued. Due to high speeds and a concern for the safety of the public, Cpl. D’Argenio terminated the pursuit. A short time later the vehicle crashed in West Caldwell.
With the assistance of the West Caldwell Police Department, Millburn Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, and other area law enforcement agencies, three juveniles were taken into custody shortly after the crash. Those juveniles were transported back to Fairfield police headquarters for processing. Further investigation revealed that the 2020 Kia Forte that the occupants were in was a recently stolen vehicle.
A short time later, West Caldwell police received calls regarding three other juveniles banging on doors in a residential area, not far from the crash site. It was determined through investigative means that these three individuals were also occupants of the stolen car and arrested. All six were charged with the following: receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, conspiracy, burglary, and possession of burglary tools. They were all released to the custody of their parents with the exception of one, who was remanded to the Essex County Youth House in Newark, NJ. This is still an ongoing investigation and further charges may be pending.
“This case strongly emphasizes the problem of thecontinuing stolen car epidemic in New Jersey as the ages of the juvenile offenders involved in this case ranged between 12-14 years of age with one of these offenders having a court-ordered monitoring device on him at the time of the arrest. Until there are meaningful consequences for such activity or until our society can divert these youthful offenders away from committingsuch crimes and rather be involved in other productive activity, we will continue to be faced with this problem”said Chief Anthony G. Manna.
(The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.)
Issued by: Officer Stacy Chiarolanza (PIO)
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