Men Stole From Homes In North End, Fled, Crashed On Rt. 3: Secaucus PD

SECAUCUS, NJ — A dramatic incident unfolded Wednesday morning in Secaucus, where two suspects were stealing packages from outside homes in the North End, fled from police and got into a car crash on Rt. 3 west, where one of the suspects got out of the car and was hit by another car on Rt. 3 eastbound, said police.

He survived being hit by the car, with only minor injuries.

From Secaucus Police, here is exactly what happened:

At 10:37 a.m. Wednesday, a Secaucus resident reported to police that two men in ski masks were committing thefts from homes in the North End of town. They were not breaking into homes; they are accused of stealing packages from outside homes, clarified Police Chief Dennis Miller.

While en route to the scene, Police Officer Kasey Kelly could hear the load roar of a car's engine from several blocks away, before he could see the suspect vehicle, a 2005 black Honda Accord. The Honda Accord drove at an excessively high rates of speed, disregarding traffic lights and signs and driving against traffic as it headed towards Rt. 3 west.

The Honda Accord was driving at more than 80 miles per hour when it hit a curb, blowing out its tire. Nevertheless, it drove onto Rt. 3 west, driving on its rim. Officer Kelly continued to pursue the vehicle as it headed west on Rt. 3.

It was near the Main Street exit in Clifton on Rt. 3 where the Honda Accord crashed into the back of a FedEx truck.

After the crash, the driver of the Accord, Jordan Terry, 19, of Elmwood Park, got out of the car and ran across all lanes of Rt. 3 west and crossed over the concrete barrier, where he was struck by an oncoming car travelling on Rt. 3 east. He suffered minor injuries and was placed under arrest.

The passenger, Eliel Ortiz, 19, of Garfield, fled and was arrested by members of Secaucus Police and New Jersey State Police in the weeds a short distance from the Honda Accord.

Inside the car, police said they located stolen property taken from the homes in the North End; police did not say what exactly. The Honda Accord also had a stolen license plate.

No civilians were injured as a result of the vehicle pursuit.

“I am thankful that nobody was truly injured in this incident,” said Miller. “This incident is another example that the Secaucus Police Department will respond immediately to resident reports of criminal activity and apprehend criminals by lawful means. I want to thank State Police, Clifton and East Rutherford police along with the Passaic County Sheriff for their assistance.”

Terry and Ortiz were each charged with Obstructing the Administration of Law [2C:29-1(a)], Resisting Arrest [2C:29-2a(2)], four counts of Theft [2C:20-3a], Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7] and Conspiracy to Commit Theft [2C:5-2a(1)/2C:20-3a]. Jordan Terry was also charged with Eluding [2C:29-2(b)] and was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

Ortiz was released, pending his appearance in court.

In a separate incident, also this week: Men In Ski Masks In Car On Centre Avenue, Chestnut Street Monday Night