On the morning of January 11, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Secaucus Police responded to a report of multiple individuals wearing ski masks while burglarizing vehicles on Mallard Place. As officers arrived, a Honda Pilot sped by at high velocity, narrowly missing a marked patrol car. Officers observed the occupants wearing ski masks and recorded the vehicle’s license plate number, but lost sight of it due to the driver’s reckless speed. Authorities later determined that three vehicles were burglarized, with attempts made on four others.
Shortly after, the Honda Pilot was flagged by Paramus Police as a stolen vehicle. On January 18, 2025, the vehicle was located in Montclair and taken to the Secaucus Police Department for processing by Detectives from the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit. While examining the vehicle, detectives discovered a bullet projectile lodged in it, though the circumstances surrounding the gunfire remain unclear.
After several weeks of investigation, Detectives from the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit, under the leadership of Detective Sergeant Matthew Ford, arrested a 16-year-old male on January 24, 2025, and a 17-year-old male on January 25, 2025, both from Jersey City. They face multiple charges, including three counts of Burglary, four counts of Attempted Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, and Receiving a Stolen Vehicle.
While investigating the vehicle burglaries, detectives linked the 17-year-old to a previous vehicle theft that occurred in Secaucus on October 20, 2023. On that date, the then-15-year-old stole an Infiniti Q50 from the 200 block of Meadow Lane, which was later recovered in Union, NJ, on November 17, 2023. As a result, the 17-year-old now faces an additional charge of Receiving a Stolen Vehicle related to this crime.
Both juveniles were released to their parents and placed on home detention pending their court appearances. These charges are accusations, and the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Chief Dennis Miller commented, “The unfortunate reality is that these juveniles are not deterred by the threat of consequences and will continue to commit crimes until they are held accountable. These are not mere joyriders—these individuals are stealing cars, committing burglaries, and victimizing our neighborhoods. The recovery of a bullet from the stolen vehicle is a reminder that these stolen cars may be involved in other violent crimes. These arrests highlight the dedication and hard work of my detectives, and I am proud to stand with them.”