State Police Car Stolen In North Brunswick, Used In 3 Robberies

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Update: The unmarked State Police car stolen from a state trooper's home in North Brunswick was found later Sunday morning, State Police confirmed to Patch. It was found partially disabled and looked as though it hit something, said State Police spokesman Lt. Ted Schafer. However, the two guns inside the car were stolen and the suspect remains on the loose.

He did not disclose where the car was found.

Someone stole a New Jersey state trooper's unmarked patrol car from the driveway of his North Brunswick home on Sunday and used it to commit two robberies, and steal gas from a Colonia gas station, State Police announced. The car pulled two drivers over so far to rob them, State Police said.

Two department-issued guns were inside the car, as well. The suspect pulled over a truck driver on the Turnpike in South Brunswick and a car driver at the Woodbridge Center mall. Both drivers were robbed.

State Police announced the news Monday morning on their Facebook page: The unmarked State Police car was stolen out of the trooper's driveway in North Brunswick at approximately 9:39 a.m. Sunday morning. The troop car contained several uniforms, two issued weapons and other issued equipment.

The trooper reported it missing it 9:39 a.m., but police think it was stolen several hours earlier. At 6:50 a.m., a truck driver reported a robbery to State Police: He said he was stopped by a vehicle matching that description on the Turnpike southbound at milepost 74.7 in South Brunswick. He said he was stopped by an unmarked patrol car and the man then stole cash from him.

Then at 7:19 a.m. the suspect fueled the troop car at a gas station on St. George Avenue in Colonia and left without paying. At 7:30 a.m., the unmarked car stopped a cab at the Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge and stole cash from the driver. No weapons were brandished during any of the incidents.

"This is an active investigation, and we continue to work cooperatively with North Brunswick Police Department and local law enforcement," NJ State Police said. "There is no further information available at this time."

Police said if anyone is pulled over by unmarked patrol car, and is concerned, they should call 911 or seek confirmation of the officer’s credentials.

Photo via New Jersey State Police's Facebook page