A 15-year-old juvenile delinquent was arrested after stealing a car, leading police on a high-speed chase, and then crashing it.
The Clifton Police Department said that two of its officers located a stolen motor vehicle, specifically, a 2010 Acura RDX, traveling on Lexington Avenue. When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated – at which time a motor vehicle pursuit began.
The pursuit took place through the Eastside streets of Clifton and eventually into the City of Passaic. During the chase, the driver of the stolen vehicle was driving so recklessly, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an unoccupied (parked) vehicle on President Street.
All four occupants of the stolen vehicle fled on foot. The driver, who was wearing a black ski mask, was observed tucking a weapon of some sort into his waistband as he fled. Officers concentrated on this individual and were eventually able to capture him on a neighboring street, after a physical struggle ensued. He was taken into custody and transported to headquarters. A knife was recovered nearby and is believed to be the weapon that the suspect was concealing.
The remaining three suspects were able to evade capture; however the investigation is ongoing.
The arrested suspect is a 15-year-old male resident of Passaic. He was charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest, Eluding, and weapons possession offenses.
He also had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest stemming from a similar incident in Paterson.