Two 16-year-old juveniles and an adult have been charged in an armed carjacking on June 20 outside P.F. Whelihan’s restaurant in Washington Township.
At approximately 11:16 p.m., three customers left the restaurant and were returning to their vehicle, a 2021 gray BMW M5, when they were approached by two masked individuals in the restaurant parking lot, township police said on July 9.
One allegedly brandished a short-barreled AR-15-style rifle and the other displayed a black handgun. They allegedly threatened the victims and demanded the key fob for the vehicle, then fled northbound on Hurffville-Crosskeys Road in a blue Honda Civic later determined to be stolen out of Pennsylvania.
When it crashed near the Wawa on Altair Drive, witnesses informed arriving officers that the driver had just fled the crash scene in the stolen BMW.
The juveniles arrested were a male from Turnersville and a female from Sicklerville. The 19-year-old adult, Job A. Smith, has known addresses in Turnersville, Glassboro and Hi-Nella. All three were charged with armed carjacking and receiving stolen property, among other alleged crimes.
The juveniles were arrested on June 26 and transported to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Facility. Smith was arrested on July 9 and is lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility.
“This was a dangerous and brazen crime involving firearms and stolen vehicles,” Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said in a social media post. “The apprehension of these suspects is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our officers. We’re extremely grateful no one was injured, and we remain fully committed to holding violent offenders accountable.”
The chief also attributed the arrests to a police K-9 unit, detectives, the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office Fugitive Task Force and collaboration with the Glassboro and Mantua police departments.
The investigation remains active, and additional charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Matthew Laudenslager at (856) 589-6664, ext. 1176
