13-Year-Old Arrested in Bayonne Faces 40 Charges for Vehicle Thefts

A 13-year-old boy from Jersey City has been arrested in connection with a string of vehicle thefts and burglaries that occurred in Bayonne between February 16 and March 4, 2024. The juvenile, whose name has not been released due to his age, was taken into custody on March 4, 2024.

The investigation into the thefts revealed a pattern: the suspect would break a side window of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, enter the vehicle, tamper with the ignition module, and attempt to steal the car. Several stolen vehicles were later recovered in Bayonne and other jurisdictions.

The arrest followed an incident on March 4, 2024, where a 13-year-old male juvenile from Jersey City was apprehended from the area of West 51st Street. Earlier that day, officers responded to a report of a stolen 2015 Hyundai from the area of Islandview Court. The victim reported hearing a loud noise and then seeing her vehicle being driven away. Police found the stolen vehicle abandoned with a broken window and evidence of tampering with the steering column.

During the investigation, the juvenile was connected to a series of other incidents:

• February 16, 2024: A 2017 Hyundai was stolen from 43rd Street and Broadway, later recovered in Jersey City with tampering to the steering column.
• February 16, 2024: A 2007 Kia was burglarized and attempted to be stolen near 46th and Avenue E.
• February 17, 2024: A 2016 Hyundai was stolen from 45th Street and Avenue C, later recovered in Jersey City with tampering to the steering column.
• February 19, 2024: A 2017 Kia was burglarized near West 44th Street, with a broken side window.
• February 19, 2024: A 2020 Hyundai was stolen from 46th Street and Avenue B, with a broken side window.
• February 19, 2024: A 2010 Hyundai was burglarized near 43rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard, with tampering to the steering column.
• March 3, 2024: A 2013 Hyundai was stolen from 44th Street and Kennedy Boulevard, later recovered in Jersey City with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 3, 2024: A 2020 Hyundai was burglarized and attempted to be stolen from 46th Street and Avenue B, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 3, 2024: A 2022 Hyundai was burglarized and attempted to be stolen from 42nd Street and Avenue B, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 3, 2024: A 2016 Hyundai was stolen from West 33rd Street, later recovered in Jersey City after a crash, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 4, 2024: A 2022 Hyundai was burglarized and attempted to be stolen from West 36th Street, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 4, 2024: A 2013 Hyundai was stolen from East 23rd Street, with a broken window.
• March 4, 2024: A 2020 Hyundai was burglarized and attempted to be stolen from 33rd Street and Avenue E, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.
• March 4, 2024: A 2013 Hyundai was burglarized and attempted to be stolen from 13th Street and Kennedy Boulevard, with a broken side window and tampered steering column.

In total, the juvenile faces 40 charges, including motor vehicle theft, attempted motor vehicle theft, burglary, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and eluding.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Bayonne Police Department.