Teen Charged After Series Of Car Theft Attempts: Sparta Police

SPARTA, NJ — The Sparta Township Police Department is cautioning residents to keep their cars locked, after two residents reported that a group in a white Volvo had been trying to break into their vehicles on July 5.

The calls from residents, including one who said the group tried to take their car from their driveway, eventually led to a foot pursuit and Sparta Police apprehending a 15-year-old boy from Newark, who was reportedly involved.

Lt. John Lamon said Friday in a news release, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office has now taken over the boy’s case, after he'd been on their radar for a probation violation because of a past weapons charge.

Sparta Police caught up with him near a wooded area on Sparta Avenue by Fox Run, from residents' tips; and with the assistance of K-9’s from both the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and Maywood Police Department.

During his time in Sparta, the boy and others with him purportedly tried to take cars from driveways on both Alpine Trail and West Shore Trail. After police spotted them parked on West Shore Trail and the Volvo took off, one of the responding officers pursued them in their patrol car, losing them on Route 15 South as the Volvo headed in the direction of Route 80.

After Sparta Police let other departments in the area know about the suspected car thefts and gave them a vehicle description, New Jersey State Police later told Sparta Police they’d seen the car on Route 280 near Newark, Lamon said.

Lamon said detectives have since learned the Volvo had originally been taken from New York City; and believe the boy may have been connected to groups that take high-end cars for resale overseas.

The Sparta Police Department has asked that if residents see what appears to be a carjacking in process, to call 911 and not approach the people they suspect are involved.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.