Teens Called Uber To Flee From South Brunswick Police

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick police say they found and arrested the Somerset County teenagers who were joyriding in a stolen car on Rt. 1 and Rt. 27 last Monday night, Nov. 6. The teens stole gas, sideswiped a patrol car and finally fled from police and hid in the woods near Royal Oaks development, creating an hours-long manhunt. Patch reported on the manhunt last Monday night in the area around Royal Oaks.

The teens were identified because they connected their cell phones to the stolen car's Bluetooth, and one of their names was displayed on the screen. The teens also left a backpack in the stolen car that contained a high school hall pass with one of the juvenile's names on it. Related: Teens Hide From South Brunswick Police In Royal Oaks Monday Night

The incident started at around 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 when the attendant at the Exxon on Rt. 27 reported that a gold-colored Toyota Camry filled up its tank and drove off without paying. The car fled on New Road towards Rt. 1.

Sergeant Michael Kuchma located the car, ran its plates and the vehicle was listed stolen out of Franklin Township on Halloween. Police tried to stop the car, but the driver failed to stop and increased speed as he headed onto Major Road, then Rt. 1 north. The driver made a series of turns on Executive Drive, Cornwall Road, and Northumberland Way in an attempt to lose the officers. The driver came back onto Rt. 1 north and deliberately sideswiped a patrol car.

The car then drove into the Royal Oaks apartment complex. The teens then abandoned the stolen vehicle on Timberline Court after striking a parked car. Four juveniles exited the stolen car and fled on foot. Investigators later learned that the juveniles ran through woods and used an Uber to pick them up about a half mile away.

Officers determined that one of the teen suspects had linked their cell phone to the in-car Bluetooth, which displayed the juvenile's name on the dashboard. A backpack was also located inside the vehicle, which contained a high school hall pass with one of the juvenile's names on it.

All the suspects were identified and charged in the 48 hours after they abandoned the stolen vehicle. All were charged with eluding an officer, receiving stolen property, and theft. All juveniles were released pending their first court appearance.

Pictured is a South Brunswick police K-9 searching Royal Oaks last Monday, Nov. 6./Supplied by South Brunswick police