Three Linden teens have been taken into custody after a police chase on the morning of Sept. 24. The group was joyriding in a Ford Explorer driven by a 15-year-old. The incident began when police pulled the teenager over when he didn’t come to a complete stop at the intersection of Monmouth Ave. and East Baltimore Ave.
The police report indicates that when the officers approached the vehicle, the driver drove away from the scene, heading west on East St. George Ave. The driver failed to properly execute a left turn onto Ainsworth St. and hit a utility pole. The pole snapped in half, and the Explorer finally came to a halt on the front lawn of the high school.
No one in the Explorer appeared to be injured, and all the passengers declined medical treatment at the scene. The trio was taken into custody, and the driver is facing nine summonses for his alleged motor vehicle violations. His passengers were charged with the fourth-degree crime of joyriding. One of the passengers is 19-years-old and is being held on $2,500 bail pending a court hearing. The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.
Young people are often thoughtless and act in a reckless manner. However, it’s important to try and avoid them having a police record that may follow them into adulthood. If a young family member is having legal issues, it may be helpful to allow a criminal attorney to review the case. A criminal attorney may be able to offer suggestions and negotiate a deal with the prosecution that could allow the young person to move into adult life without the hindrance of a criminal record.