5 Teenage Car Thieves Caught In Stafford: Police

STAFFORD, NJ — Five people were charged after a luxury SUV that was stolen from North Jersey was caught driving through Stafford, police said.

At about 10 p.m. on March 29, Stafford police were alerted to a stolen vehicle driving in the area of Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway, police said.

The vehicle, a black 2019 Mercedes GLC, was reported stolen from Nutley earlier that day, and also was involved in a hit-and-run with a pedestrian in Newark, police said.

Police immediately responded to the area where the car was heading west on Route 72, near Marsha Drive. When officers tried to conduct a traffic stop, the Mercedes sped away, police said.

As officers pursued, they strategically placed spike strips, which successfully punctured the holes of the tires, police said.

The pursuit continued onto the Parkway North until mile marker 94.5, where the stolen Mercedes finally came to a halt, police said.

The car's five occupants tried to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended.

They face charges including eluding and receiving a stolen vehicle, police said. Four were minors and two have been taken to a juvenile detention center while the other two were released to their guardians pending a future court appearance, police said.

The fifth person, 18-year-old Kyera Green from Newark, was taken to Ocean County Jail. The stolen car's driver was issued several motor vehicle summons, police said.