In the early hours of a Saturday morning in South Brunswick, New Jersey, a series of events unfolded that led to the arrest of four suspected car thieves. The incident began when police received a call about a crash at 605 Ridge Rd. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a 2021 Mazda that had crashed and been abandoned on a front lawn. Further investigation revealed that the car was registered to a home a few blocks away on Welcome Farms Road.
When police went to the registered home, the homeowners were shocked to find that both of their cars had been stolen from the driveway. Using a tracking app, they were able to locate the second stolen car, a 2023 Hyundai, at a nearby Wawa convenience store on Route 535. Officers quickly arrived at the Wawa and found the stolen car in the parking lot, with four males walking towards a closed strip mall, claiming they were waiting for an Uber.
Upon questioning the suspects further, officers reviewed surveillance footage from inside the Wawa, which showed the individuals arriving in the stolen car and using a credit card that belonged to the car owner to make purchases. The owner of the stolen vehicles expressed shock and disbelief at the situation, stating that they were completely unaware of the theft until receiving fraud alerts from their credit cards.
In a surprising turn of events, a third stolen vehicle from the Hillsborough area was also discovered in the Wawa parking lot. The suspects were identified as 18-year-old Ronia Jackson, 18-year-old Kayon Moore, and two minors from Trenton, aged 16 and 17. All four individuals were arrested and charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, theft, burglary, and possession of a stolen credit card. The two adults were also charged with using juveniles in the commission of a crime.
South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka commended the quick response and coordination of the officers in apprehending the suspects and putting an end to the night of crime. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding against car theft by not leaving key fobs in vehicles or near doors and windows, and recommended using protective pouches to prevent criminals from intercepting key signals.
The incident serves as a reminder of the prevalence of car theft and the importance of taking precautions to protect one’s property. By staying vigilant and following safety measures, individuals can reduce the risk of falling victim to such crimes. The swift action taken by law enforcement in South Brunswick highlights the dedication and effectiveness of local authorities in maintaining public safety and apprehending criminals.