2 Teens Charged In Connection with Vehicle Break-Ins In Lawrence: PD

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Two Mercer County teens were arrested and charged early Saturday morning for vehicle break-in in Lawrence Township, police said.

Police arrested Omari Cartwright, 18, of Trenton, and a 17 year-old juvenile, during an initiative to address ongoing vehicle break-ins that have been reported throughout Lawrence Township, police said.

On Saturday at approximately 3 a.m., Officer Kraszewski and Officer Bystrek were patrolling neighborhoods when they saw the two teens walking in dark clothing and full-face coverings in the area of Wittenborn Dr. in the Society Hill South neighborhood.

While the officers kept surveillance of the two individuals, additional officers found several vehicles in the area that appeared to have been entered, one with a window shattered, police said.

Officers made contact with Cartwrightand the juvenile on Wittenborn Dr. and conducted an on-scene investigation which revealed that the two were responsible for shattering the window of a vehicle on Sherman Place, prior to having contact with the officers, police said.

During the arrest, Cartwright provided a false name and was found to be in possession of a Glock handgun with a high capacity magazine, authorities said.

Cartwright was charged with hindering apprehension, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a high capacity magazine, unlawful possession of ammunition, burglary, possession of burglar tools and criminal mischief.

Cartwright was lodged in the Mercer Country Correctional Center pending a detention hearing.

The juvenile was charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief, and was released.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Kraszewski @ 609-896- 1111 or dkraszewski@lawrencetwp.com.