Four Teenagers Charged in Alleged Joyride

have charged a group of four teenage boys, ranging in ages from 14 to 17, with unlawful taking of an auto. Most facing additional charges.

Police said they saw the boys speeding and driving erratically in a black Volvo at 2:28 a.m. June 19 on Jamestown Road. When police tried to stop the vehicle, they said the driver and one passenger ran away on foot, while the other two passengers attempted to flee but were immediately caught.

Police said they soon located the remaining fleeing passenger and then the driver. That passenger, police said, was under the influence of marijuana and had a bag of the substance on him. The driver allegedly physically resisted arrest, smelled of alcohol and staggered as he walked. Police said they gave the driver field sobriety tests, which he failed.

The vehicle belonged to one of the boys’ parents and had been taken without their consent, according to a police report.

Police filed the following charges against the defendants below:

• The alleged driver, a 17-year-old East Brunswick boy—unlawful taking of auto, eluding police, resisting arrest, obstructing justice, driving while intoxicated, DWI under 21 years old, suspended driver, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to signal turn and unsafe lane change
• A 14-year-old Bolton Road, East Windsor boy—unlawful taking of auto, obstructing justice, possession of fewer than 50 grams of marijuana and use of marijuana
• A 14-year-old Abbington Drive, East Windsor boy— unlawful taking of auto, resisting arrest and obstructing justice
• A 15-year-old Bennington Drive, East Windsor boy— unlawful taking of auto

For questions about this police blotter, e-mail geoffrey.wertime@patch.com