2 teens accused of breaking into cars and stealing 1

Police have accused two male teenagers, both residents of Jersey City, New Jersey, of breaking into several cars and stealing one. Charges related to a number of theft and property crimes have been filed.

The two were arrested on Nov. 19 while allegedly in possession of a car they had stolen in Bayonne, New Jersey. The vehicle was reportedly idling in the street at approximately 2:26 a.m. When the occupants observed police coming onto the street, they tried to make a U-turn and came close to hitting a nearby fence, according to police reports. The 17-year-old driver was purportedly unable to produce proof of insurance, the vehicle’s registration or a driver’s license. When confronted with a claim that the car had been stolen, the driver and an 18-year-old passenger both confessed to having stolen the car, police claimed.

Police further asserted that the boys had broken into other cars and stolen items from them. The 17-year-old was charged with car theft, burglary from a vehicle, theft and receiving stolen property. The 18-year-old was charged with theft, burglary, receiving stolen property and using a juvenile in a car theft. Additional charges of 23 counts of theft, 28 counts of burglary, two counts of fraudulent use of credit cards and two counts of criminal mischief were later filed against the older teen.

In cases with multiple defendants, particularly young people, police frequently take advantage of the fact that many do not know their rights and will mistakenly think that they have to answer questions or consent to a search. Those facing arrest are well-advised not to consent to searches or speak with officers until contacting an attorney. Officers will often try to play one defendant off against another and tell each one in separate interrogations that the other has “confessed.” This is often a lie intended to elicit admissions of guilt. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help those being questioned by police or charged with a crime by protecting their clients’ rights.

Source: NJ.com, “Jersey City teens arrested for string of car thefts, break ins” Joseph R. Vena, Nov. 21, 2013