High-Speed Chase Of Alleged Car Thieves Ends With Crash In Cranford

CRANFORD, NJ — Five alleged car thieves were arrested after taking Cranford Police on a high-speed chase through the township before crashing.

On Sept. 29 at 12:37 a.m. Cranford Officer’s James Knight and Timothy Handy were on on routine patrol, when they saw a 2008 Mercedes Benz commit a lane violation in the area of Centennial Avenue and Cayuga Road.

A search of the vehicle found it was stolen out of Cedar Grove. When officers tried to stop the car, it accelerated westbound on Raritan Road, Cranford Police reported.

After about a 2-mile chase, the Mercedes hit a median and rolled over at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Raritan Road.

The five men inside then tried to run away on foot but were arrested with the help of the New Jersey State Police, Linden Police Department, and Union County Police Department.

The driver, Aaron Scarborough, 24, of Irvington was charged with second degree eluding, third degree
receiving stolen property and fourth degree resisting arrest. He was committed to the Union County Jail
pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.

The passengers were charged with third degree receiving stolen property and fourth degree resisting arrest: Juan Leandry, 18, Newark; DeQuelle Nelson, 21, Newark; Amahad Denton, 25, Newark; and Patrick Roberts, 19, Irvington.

All were released on the Cranford Police charges pending a Union County Superior Court appearance.

“This incident was a textbook collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies in making
these arrests swiftly,” said Cranford Acting Chief of Police Joseph VanBergen.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.