Lexus Stolen From Secaucus Doctor's Office, High-Speed Chase Ensued

SECAUCUS, NJ — A Lexus SUV was stolen from the valet parking lot of the Riverside medical office on 10th Street Tuesday morning, said Secaucus Police.

Secaucus Police located and arrested the Newark man who they say stole the car, but not before he nearly struck multiple people and led police on a high-speed car chase.

The 2020 Lexus RX was stolen from the lot sometime around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16: Secaucus Police were called to Riverside Pediatrics, at 714 10th Street, at 9:42 a.m.

While fleeing the lot, the stolen vehicle nearly struck one of the valet attendants and it nearly struck a pedestrian on 10th Street. A description of the stolen vehicle and suspect were broadcast to surrounding police agencies, while the Secaucus Police checked egress routes from Secaucus (Rt. 3, the Turnpike).

Police heard the stolen 2020 Lexus RX was in the area of Bloomfield Avenue in Newark and traveling toward Bloomfield.

Secaucus Police Detective Sergeant Giacomo Sallustio and Detective Sean Egan located the vehicle and found that it was occupied by Sahmir Hughes, 25, of Newark, said officers.

They tried to stop the car, but Hughes drove "at high rates of speed through parking lots and with total disregard of the safety of the public," said Secaucus Police.

A vehicle pursuit was undertaken by Secaucus Police detectives within the confines of Bloomfield into East Orange, but they lost sight of the vehicle.

Immediately thereafter, Detectives Sallustio and Egan discovered Hughes crashed the stolen 2020 Lexus RX into a concrete bridge pillar on Ampere Parkway in East Orange. Hughes was placed under arrest at the crash scene. During a search, he was found in possession of Buprenorphine and Nalaxone sublingual films, said police.

“The actions of this car thief once again demonstrate that property crime is jeopardizing the safety of the citizens of this state and is a serious problem, but I am thankful nobody was injured during the commission of this crime,"said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. "I whole-heartedly support the actions of my detectives and their initiative in apprehending this car thief. This is another example that proves our ongoing commitment to the residents and visitors of Secaucus that if they are victim of a crime in this town, detectives have my authorization to follow the case into any jurisdiction so that justice can be served. The Secaucus Police did their job in this case, but I can only hope our criminal justice system does its job and holds the defendant accountable.”

Hughes was charged with burglary [2C:18-2a(1)], theft of a motor vehicle [2C:20-3a], eluding [2C:29-2b] and drug possession. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.