Juvenile, Man Charged With Westfield Motor Vehicle Theft

WESTFIELD, NJ - An Irvington man and juvenile were arrested and charged with burglary and motor vehicle theft after leading police on a high-speed chase through Garwood according to Acting Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro.

Dquan Dupont, age 21, of Irvington, and a 17-year-old Irvington juvenile were charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle which occurred on Saturday, Nov. 24, Battiloro said.

According to Battiloro, the car was stolen from the parking lot of a convenience store located on the 800 block of Central Avenue. Battiloro indicated that the vehicle was left running and unattended in the convenience store’s parking lot when it was stolen.

“This was a crime of opportunity,” said Battiloro. “I cannot stress enough that we must not present criminals with chances like this to steal vehicles. Please exercise common sense and always take simple measures, such as turning off and securing your vehicles when exiting them, to protect both you and your property.”

According to authorities, the juvenile initiated a high-speed vehicular pursuit with Garwood Police while fleeing the area immediately following the theft.

Battiloro added that the stolen motor vehicle was subsequently utilized in the commission of a robbery in Maplewood. He credited the commendable investigative work of Detective Nicholas Bruno with the swift arrest of the individuals involved.

Anyone with additional information relating to this incident is asked to contact Bruno at 908-789-6076.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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