2 Newark Teens May Be Behind Numerous Middletown Car Thefts: Police

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Thursday afternoon, Middletown Police Chief R. Craig Weber announced that two Newark teens have been arrested, and they are suspected of being involved in numerous car theft attempts in Middletown.

The teens, 16- and 17-year-old teen boys both residing in Newark, were arrested Sept. 23 by members of the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force. They were each charged with receiving stolen property and attempted burglary.

The charges are in connection with a stolen Audi Q8 SUV, valued at over $65,000, that was stolen in New York City.

But these same juveniles are suspected of being involved in numerous attempted car thefts in Middletown and surrounding towns, and that part of the investigation is still ongoing, said Chief Weber.

Additionally, Middletown Police and members of the NJSP Auto Theft Task Force are continuing to investigate ongoing car thefts in Middletown.

On Aug. 8, a BMW X3 was stolen from a home on Sailors Way. It was recovered the next day in Newark. On August 18, a Ford Explorer ST was stolen from a residence on Mohican Drive. That vehicle was subsequently recovered by police several days later in Newark.

Middletown Police are investigating the possibility that the two thefts are connected.

“The alarming rise in auto theft poses a serious risk to public safety," said Chief Weber Thursday. "Car thieves, who are often juveniles, have become increasingly reckless, entering garages and homes in broad daylight to retrieve key fobs and driving at extremely high rates of speed, sometimes crashing into police cars and other motorists."

Related: Car Theft Attempted Near Gov. Murphy's Middletown Home (Sept. 13)

Gov. Murphy Responds To Attempted Car Theft Next Door To His Home (Sept. 14)

Middletown Posts Police Cars By Parkway Entrances Due To Crime Surge (Aug. 29)

Middletown Police say they have increased police patrols and "are working collaboratively with other local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies to target the criminal networks who are responsible for this multi-million dollar enterprise.”

Please lock your cars, said police. Additionally, the public is asked to immediately contact the police if they observe any suspicious activity.