WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — An unoccupied SUV hit three parked cars and a tree on Friday night after thieves abandoned it while trying to flee, Washington Township Police said.
At around 11 p.m., authorities responded to the Bateman Farms neighborhood for a report of a suspicious vehicle and people trying to get into parked, unlocked cars.
Officers noticed a white Jeep Compass and a white Chevrolet SUV leaving the development.
After police tried to stop them, the drivers fled through a red light at Hurffville-Grenloch Road and Woodbury-Turnersville Road and almost hit a tractor-trailer.
Two men jumped out of the moving Jeep while in the Grenloch area to try to get into the Chevrolet.
The SUV was stolen recently from a home along Upton Way.
As officers chased the two men on foot, the driver fell twice and concealed an unknown object in his waistband before he got into the Chevy, police said.
The SUV was last seen going over the Walt Whitman Bridge into Philadelphia.
The Jeep continued rolling down Eastview Avenue, where it hit three parked cars and a tree.
After securing the SUV, officers confiscated credit cards, wallets, money, and other items believed to be linked to multiple burglaries of unlocked cars in the area.
Other reports of car theft were reported along Pennington Way and Upton Way, according to authorities.
The Chevrolet was stolen from Bateman Farms, and the Jeep was stolen out of West Deptford.
The Jeep was also displaying a plate that was stolen out of Philadelphia. The vehicle was taken to Washington Township Police headquarters for processing.
Police are looking for four young men who wore dark clothes and black face masks.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage is asked to contact 856-589-0330 ext. 1163.
Residents are reminded to lock car doors, remove valuables, and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
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