Hoboken Cops Capture Carjacked Car With 5 Teens From Queens

HOBOKEN, NJ — After a Hoboken police officer spotted a speeding Volkswagen in northern Hoboken on Thursday morning, police ended up arresting the driver and finding out the car had been "carjacked by force" from Long Island a day earlier.

Police said that around 10:44 a.m., Lt. Keith Rotondi observed a white Volkswagen traveling southbound at a high rate of speed in the area of 12th and Hudson streets.

As the vehicle passed Lt. Rotondi, he observed that it had no front or rear license plate and a cracked windshield, police say. Lt. Rotondi advised police of the vehicle.

Moments later, Officer Ramon Calderon observed the vehicle traveling southbound on Sinatra Drive, along the waterfront.

Officer Dylan Archilla then located the vehicle traveling along the central waterfront and conducted a motor vehicle stop with Officer Samuel Flores, police said.

Lt. Melissa Gigante and Sgt. William Bullock arrived and conducted an on-scene investigation.
Police said the vehicle was occupied by three adults and two male juveniles, all teenagers.

The car was towed and all five occupants were brought to police headquarters.

Police said that after running the vehicle identification number, they discovered that the vehicle had been reported the day before "carjacked by force out of Nassau County" on Long Island.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Juan Murillo-Herrera, 19, from Elmhurst, Queens. He was charged with receiving stolen property and was given a motor vehicle summons for improper display of plates. He was then released.

The other two adult males were 18 and 19, from Queens. They were released without being charged.

The juveniles, 15 and 17, were from Queens. They were released to a parent/guardian.

The defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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