NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A Newark Police Detective was injured by a 17-year-old driver in a stolen vehicle on Sunday, according to Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara.
The incident happened just after 2:25 p.m. when police observed a stolen vehicle, an Audi reported stolen out of Southampton, New York, parked at Shephard Avenue near Mapes Place.
The teen boy sped away upon becoming aware of police presence and headed westbound on Shephard Avenue towards Bergen Street, officials said.
The teen then struck an unmarked police car in the area that was occupied by a detective and was traveling in the opposite direction, authorities said.
The injured officer was transported to University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is reportedly in stable condition.
No other injuries were reported.
“I’m grateful that the officer wasn’t seriously injured,” Director O’Hara said. “It is critically important that the rest of the criminal justice system becomes more serious about the problem of juveniles in stolen cars. Most of the stolen cars in Newark were stolen elsewhere and brought into the City, like this one taken from South Hampton, Long Island.”
The teen driver and a 16-year-old male occupant of the stolen vehicle were apprehended at the scene of the crash.
They were both transported to University Hospital for evaluation.
The teen each face charges of aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, obstruction of the administration of the law, and resisting arrest.
“It saddens me that both of these juvenile suspects already have criminal histories, including charges in connection with auto theft,” O’Hara added. “The driver was previously arrested for receiving stolen property, eluding, theft, credit card fraud, harassment, obstruction, resisting arrest, and contempt of court. His passenger was previously arrested for joyriding.”