Secaucus Police Chase Stolen Car Into Little Ferry, Where It Crashed

SECAUCUS, NJ — Early Wednesday morning, Secaucus police officers pursued a stolen car driven by three teenagers from Jersey City.

At 12:32 a.m. Wednesday, Secaucus police officers Justin Machno and Jaden Gonzalez were on patrol in the area of Meadowlands Parkway and Rt. 3 west when they observed a white 2014 Dodge Durango travelling at a high rate of speed.

A check of the registration revealed the car was stolen from Weehawken yesterday, Tuesday.

The officers attempted to stop the car, however the Durango did not stop and drove onto Rt. 3 west at speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour.

The two Secaucus police officers pursued the stolen vehicle onto Rt. 120 North and Washington Avenue. The pursuit continued through Moonachie and into Little Ferry, where the car crashed into a tree in the area of 31 Liberty Street in Little Ferry.

All three of the Durango occupants got out and tried to flee, however they were all arrested immediately thereafter. One of the occupants was located by the Little Ferry Police dog hiding behind a shed.

The occupants were identified as two seventeen-year-old males, and one sixteen-year-old male, all from Jersey City. All of the juveniles were transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, to be treated for their injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and it is believed these juveniles may be involved in other car thefts within Hudson County, said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. One of the juveniles had previously been arrested for eluding police and receiving stolen property on April 16 in Fort Lee, but was released.

“I support my officers’ decisions here, as they acted within the confines of the pursuit policy, but let’s be clear, the injuries sustained by these juveniles were a direct result of their delinquent behavior,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “Most car thieves, regardless of age, are recidivist offenders who will continue to commit crimes until our criminal justice system holds them accountable. I want to explicitly thank the East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Moonachie and Little Ferry Police Departments for their assistance.”

Last April, NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin went back to allowing New Jersey police to pursue stolen cars. Before that, Platkin and Gov. Phil Murphy tried to limit police chases of stolen cars, because high-speed car chases are dangerous, and can put police officers and innocent drivers alike at risk. It was part of an overhaul led by Gov. Murphy to reduce the use of force by police.

But last April, Platkin reversed the ban on high-speed chases, citing last year's surge in car thefts across North Jersey. Read that story: As NJ Car Thefts Surge, State Revises Policy To Allow Police Pursuit (April 2022)

All of the juveniles were charged with Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7] and Conspiracy to Commit Receiving Stolen Property [2C:5-2/2C:20-7]. The sixteen-year-old and one of the seventeen-year-olds were also charged with Resisting Arrest by Flight [2C:29-2a(2)].

All were released to parent and/or guardian. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges will be filed.

Anyone with additional information can contact the Secaucus Police Detective Division at (201) 330-2052 or detectivedivsion@secaucusnjpolice.gov