Three Police Chases In Millburn In 1 Week

MILLBURN, NJ — The Millburn police were hot on the trail of suspects after three different burglary attempts last week.

On Saturday, July 23, at 6:30 a.m., Millburn Police Officer Jezewski observed a suspicious man in the area of Long Hill Drive and White Oak Ridge Road, police said.

Upon seeing the officer, the man ran and entered a white 2020 Toyota Avalon which was reported stolen from Jersey City, police said.

Jezewski attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, but it left the scene.

Jezewski engaged in a pursuit, but the vehicle "fled at a high rate of speed on Route 24," police said. "The pursuit was then terminated for safety concerns."

The incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.

Then, last Friday, at 8:11 a.m., Millburn Police Officer Kerwien responded to a Lakeview Avenue residence on a report of theft of a vehicle. As noted in a prior report on car thefts, the resident reported that his key fob was left in his Mercedes C30, which was stolen from his driveway.

At approximately 10:50 a.m., Kerwien observed the vehicle on White Oak Ridge Road near Canoe Brook Road. Upon observing the officers, the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed. Due to safety concerns, the officer was unable to pursue the stolen vehicle, police said.

And then, this past Monday, Officer Recinos located a stolen 2020 Nissan Altima in the area of Parsonage Hill Road and Long Hill Drive. Recinos attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle eluded the officer, police said.

Recinos engaged in a pursuit with the stolen vehicle, but had to terminate on Route 24 due to safety concerns, police said.

As with the other incidents, this incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.

In April, with car thefts surging, the state loosened a policy that prevented police chases except for serious crimes like murder or kidnapping.

However, police may not pursue a car if the chase could present a danger to the public.

Most Commonly Stolen Cars In NJ

Patch reported in April that according to the Attorney General's office, the most commonly stolen
luxury cars in New Jersey are the BMW X6, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Audi Q5, and BMW
X3.

The top vehicles stolen statewide so far this year are the Honda Accord, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-V, BMW X5 and BMW 3-Series.

READ MORE: As NJ Car Thefts Surge, State Revises Policy To Allow Police Pursuit

Patch editor Carly Baldwin contributed reporting to this story.