Stolen SUV Repeatedly Rams Police Cars, Injures Officer In Union County: Cops

UNION, NJ — A 16-year-old juvenile was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer after he repeatedly rammed police cars and injured an officer while trying to escape in a stolen SUV, said Township of Union NJ Police Department.

On Dec. 29 at about 5:20 p.m., members of the Union Township Police Department Quality of Life (QoL) unit were patrolling in the 5 Points area and found a stolen car driving on Galloping Hill Road.

The QoL officer was in an unmarked car and followed the stolen vehicle until other officers in unmarked cars were able to surround the car near the Galloping Hill Mall, 1350 Galloping Hill Rd.

"The goal was to block the car in and prevent a dangerous pursuit, but the driver of the stolen car tried to force his way out of the containment and repeatedly rammed our unmarked cars," said police.

Eventually, officers were able to remove the three people(two juveniles and one adult) from the stolen car, a 2021 Acura RDX, that was stolen during an overnight home burglary in Orange on Dec. 28, said police.

None of those arrested was injured, but one officer was injured from the intentional ramming while in the police car, said police.

The officer was taken to a hospital for further examination.

All of the occupants were charged with possessing the stolen car. Also found in the car were other key fobs and credit cards belonging to other people.

Detectives are going to investigate and try to determine the owners of the key fobs. Detectives will also coordinate with Orange Detectives to see if the three arrested are the burglars who stole the car.

The arrested adult was identified as Jeremiah Byrd, 21, from Newark. He was a passenger in the vehicle. Byrd was also arrested by officers in 2020, when he was caught after doing an armed carjacking in Union, said police.

One juvenile, a 16-year-old from Newark, was identified as the driver and will receive tickets for his actions. He was also charged with eluding the police, aggravated assault for the injuries to the officer and possession of a weapon—the car. He was sent to the Union/Essex County Juvenile Detention.

"It appears that these three males in the stolen car were in Union to commit more crimes and were driving around looking for their next victim. Our officers are working hard to keep our residents safe," said police.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.