A stolen Kia overturned on West Mercer Avenue after a high-speed pursuit in the early-morning hours of April 4.
The Mantua Police Department responded to multiple vehicle thefts in the early-morning hours of April 4 that resulted in two high-speed pursuits and a vehicle crash.
Police say thefts involving four or five suspects were first reported in the Buckingham Village Development at about 2:47 a.m., where individuals were seen checking car handles to locate unlocked vehicles. Other cases were reported as police moved into the area.
One officer spotted a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Lestershire Drive with multiple suspects who fled in the vehicle when they spotted the officer, said a police department press release. The officer attempted a vehicle stop, but the suspects fled toward Willingboro.
Meanwhile, other vehicles believed to be stolen – including a black Hyundai and Kia sedan – initially eluded police. An officer then pursued the Jeep and sedan while another pursued the Kia, leading to a chase onto Route 55 North and toward the end of West Mercer Avenue, where the Kia jumped railroad tracks and flew 150 feet in the air before overturning.
No bystanders were injured, but power was briefly lost in the area. The suspects managed to flee except for one juvenile, who was found in the area of West Atlantic Avenue and Grey Fox Circle and transported to Cooper Hospital for evaluation. The juvenile was then arrested and charged on a juvenile petition.
The incidents remain under investigation.
“Lock your vehicles,” the Mantua police urged residents online. “Remove valuables. Do not make it easy for these crews.”
Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to email Det. Greg Sweeney at gsweeney@mantuatownship.com.”
