Two teens were arrested Thursday, after they allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle and fled.
The vehicle reported stolen from Northfield was first spotted in the Absecon McDonald's parking lot by Egg Harbor Township Police Sgt. Edward Stearns and Absecon police, accoroding to the report.
The suspects drove off as police tried to stop it. The pursuit was ended due to the reckless driving of the stolen vehicle, EHT Police Chief Fred Spano said.
Stearns found the vehicle a short time later, crashed into a utility pole off Delilah Road.
Witnesses told police the driver and at least one passenger had fled, according to the report.
Several township officers responded and established a perimeter, with help from a Galloway Township K-9 unit.
Officer Robert Moran found a 13-year-old from Atlantic City who was determined to be the driver of the vehicle, and he was arrested, according to the report.
The police chief then saw another teen matching the description of a passenger running east on the shoulder of the westbound lane of the Atlantic City Expressway, he said. Spano ran down the Fire Road overpass embankment and was able to cut off the teen.
The 17-year-old from Pleasantville was arrested under the overpass by Spano and members of the State Police, according to the report.
Before the encounter, police had linked the teens to several vehicle burglaries in Longport and Egg Harbor Township, Spano said. Some of that stolen property was found on them when they were arrested.
The ongoing investigation was conducted by Officers Ronald Koons and Randy Collins, with assistance from Detective Jacob Hunter.
The juveniles may be linked to other burglaries, Spano said.
Sgt. John Beattes and Officer Clayton Knapp were instrumental in associating the stolen vehicle and the passengers with the vehicle burglaries that occurred off Longport Boulevard in Egg Harbor Township, Spano said.
The 13-year-old was charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, theft and several traffic offenses. He was turned over to Northfield police for additional charges, and then lodged in a juvenile detention facility.
The 17-year-old was charged with receiving stolen property and theft. He was released after being placed on the Home Electronic Detention System, or HEDS.
The cooperation of Absecon, Northfield, Longport and Galloway Township police departments, along with State Police led to the successful outcome with no injuries to anyone, including the juveniles, Egg Harbor Township police said.
Anyone who has information but wishes to remain anonymous may call Atlantic County Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-TIPS, text TIPCOP with the tip to 274637 (CRIME), or via the web site www.crimestoppersatlantic.com.
