Stafford Township Police Department Successfully Apprehends Suspects in Stolen Vehicle Incident
Stafford, NJ - March 29, 2024 - At 9:57 pm on Friday, the Stafford Township Police Department was alerted of a stolen vehicle traveling in the area of Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway.
The vehicle, a black 2019 Mercedes GLC, had been reported stolen from Nutley, NJ, and was also linked to a hit-and-run incident involving a pedestrian in Newark earlier that day.
Patrol units immediately responded to the area, at which time the vehicle was seen traveling westbound on Route 72, near Marsha Drive. Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, which resulted in the driver fleeing at a high rate of speed.
As officers pursued the vehicle, spike strips were strategically deployed, successfully puncturing the tires of the fleeing vehicle. The pursuit continued onto Garden State Parkway North until mile marker 94.5, where the vehicle finally came to a halt. Subsequently, all five occupants attempted to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended by law enforcement personnel.
The suspects apprehended in connection with this incident face charges including Eluding (NJ 2C:29-2) and Receiving a Stolen Vehicle (NJ 2C:20-10). Among them, four are juvenile offenders. Two juveniles have been remanded to a Juvenile Detention Center, while the remaining two have been released to their guardians pending future court appearances. Additionally, the adult female suspect, identified as Kyera Green, 18 years old, from Newark, NJ, has been lodged in Ocean County Jail. The driver of the stolen vehicle has been issued several motor vehicle summonses.
The primary arresting officer is Ptl. Russell Okinsky of the Stafford Twp. Police Department.
As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Stafford Township Police Department extends its sincere gratitude to all assisting agencies involved in this incident, including: the New Jersey State Police, Ocean County Sheriff's Department, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Brick Township Police Department, Nutley Police Department, and Wall Township Police Department.