Fairfield (NJ) The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Shakur Hawkins (19) of Newark, N.J. and a juvenile, whose identity is being withheld due to their age, for receiving stolen property and obstruction on October 7, 2019.
On that date, at approximately 2:20 A.M., a Donna Drive resident was awakened when she heard her husband’s 2013 Chevrolet Silverado running in their driveway. The husband went outside to investigate. At this time, two sedans quickly fled the scene. The police were contacted.
Shortly thereafter, Sergeant Ian Rasmussen observed a silver Lexus that matched the description of one of the suspect vehicles that fled, travelling on Plymouth Street towards Route 46. He observed that the vehicle did not have its taillights illuminated. He then initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 East with Officer David Lagan. As one of the officers approached the vehicle, it suddenly sped away and a pursuit was undertaken. At this time, it was determined that the Lexus was a stolen vehicle.
The vehicle entered into Wayne and eventually, two occupants abandoned it on Route 23 near Fairfield Road and fled on foot. Officers from several area departments, to include the Wayne, Totowa, North Caldwell, and Little Falls Police Departments, assisted in the search. In addition, a K-9 unit from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department and a helicopter from the New Jersey State Police were also used to help search, but the suspects were not located.
Then, at approximately 7:00 AM, an off duty police officer who was aware of the incident observed two individuals on Route 23 that fit the suspects’ descriptions. He notified the Wayne Police Department and both individuals were taken into custody and turned over to the Fairfield Police Department for further investigation. Officer David Lagan positively identified both individuals as those he saw fleeing the stolen vehicle a few hours earlier however he could not determine which individual had been driving. These individuals were later charged with receiving stolen property (the 2009 Lexus) and obstruction for having fled the vehicle on foot.
The juvenile was released into the custody of a parent. While in custody, it was determined that Hawkins was wanted by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. He was later turned over to their custody.
As officers continued with this investigation, it was determined at least three other vehicles in the area were burglarized and a 2011 silver Honda Accord was stolen from another Donna Drive residence. Also found in the stolen Lexus were various items of identification that were linked to thefts from vehicles in Belleville. The case is still under investigation.
“As the police department has advised a countless number of times in the past that residents need to lock their cars each night and not leave their key fobs in their vehicles. Each of these thefts and stolen cars could have been prevented if this were done. Until our citizens can understand that our community will only be safe from these predators when we collectively take the time to lock our cars, then we will all remain at risk” said Chief Anthony G. Manna. “It reminds me of a line from the classic movie Jaws. If you want to get rid of the shark you cut off its food supply so it goes somewhere else. We need to take away the reason these criminals come to the West Essex area each night” said the chief.
(It should be noted that the suspects in this case are presumed innocent until they either plead guilty or are found or adjudicated guilty in a court of law)
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna