High-Speed Chaos: Newark Teens Lead Police on a Wild Chase Across North Jersey
Paramus, NJ – February 17, 2025 – It was a night straight out of an action thriller. Sirens screamed through the streets, headlights cut through the darkness, and five Newark teens tore through North Jersey in a stolen car, leaving chaos in their wake. By the time it was over, a high-speed chase spanning multiple towns ended in a dramatic crash on the Garden State Parkway—and a troubling spotlight was cast on the growing epidemic of juvenile auto thefts in New Jersey.
The Thrill Ride Begins
The first alarm sounded at 10:15 p.m. when Clifton police sent out an urgent alert: a sleek Kia K500 Stinger had been stolen and was last seen near the Hackensack-River Edge border. But this wasn’t just one stolen car—it was part of a duo. A Porsche, swiped from Maywood just an hour earlier, was spotted alongside the Kia as both vehicles darted through River Edge and Oradell like predators prowling the night.
Hawthorne police attempted to intercept the Kia as it sped into Passaic County, but it vanished like a ghost into the darkness. What followed was a game of cat and mouse that would escalate into one of the most dangerous pursuits North Jersey has seen this year.
Paramus Police Take Up the Chase
At 10:30 p.m., Paramus Officer Cesar Hurtado caught sight of the stolen Kia entering the southbound lanes of the Garden State Parkway from Oradell Avenue. The driver—a 17-year-old boy from Belleville—had no intention of stopping. When Officer Michael Mordaga attempted to pull him over, the teen slammed on the gas, launching into a reckless high-speed chase that turned highways into danger zones.
Witnesses described a scene of pure chaos as the Kia weaved recklessly through traffic at breakneck speeds. “It was terrifying,” said one motorist who narrowly avoided being sideswiped. “You could feel how close they were to losing control.”
The Final Stretch: A Crash and Capture
The chase reached its breaking point as the stolen Kia exited at Exit 157 and hurtled onto Route 20 south. Pushing the vehicle far beyond its limits in a desperate bid for freedom, the driver lost control and slammed into a concrete divider with an ear-splitting crash. The impact left the car mangled and inoperable, smoke rising into the cold night air like a signal that their joyride had come to an end.
Within moments, Paramus Officers Michael Cleary and Julia Koenemund surrounded the wreckage with backup units close behind. The five teens inside were apprehended without further resistance, their brief taste of freedom replaced by handcuffs and flashing red lights.
Who Were They?
The driver—a 17-year-old male from Belleville—now faces a slew of charges, including eluding law enforcement, possession of stolen property, and aggravated assault for attempting to ram a police vehicle during the pursuit. He has been remanded to a juvenile detention center while awaiting further legal proceedings.
His passengers—a pair of 17-year-olds and a 16-year-old from Passaic, along with another 16-year-old from Belleville—were charged with joyriding and released to their guardians. For now, they’ve escaped harsher consequences, but their involvement in this dangerous escapade raises serious questions about accountability.
A Troubling Trend: Juvenile Auto Theft on the Rise
This incident is only one chapter in what has become an unsettling trend across New Jersey: teenagers stealing cars for thrill rides that endanger lives. In March 2023, three teens in a stolen Hyundai Tucson led Paramus police on another high-speed chase that ended in a collision near Century Road. And just months later in June 2023, two Essex County teens were arrested after leading police on a pursuit in a stolen Hyundai Sonata—one of them bizarrely carrying a pet parakeet stuffed inside a fanny pack during their capture.
Law enforcement officials say these incidents are becoming disturbingly common as juveniles are drawn into car theft rings or act impulsively without understanding the gravity of their actions.
The Danger to Communities
Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti did not mince words about the risks involved in such chases. “These pursuits put everyone at risk—the officers involved, innocent motorists, pedestrians… even these kids themselves,” he said. “We need to address this issue head-on with prevention strategies that target root causes while holding offenders accountable.”
What Can Be Done?
In response to this growing crisis, law enforcement is urging residents to take simple but effective precautions:
- Always lock your car doors and remove keys or fobs from inside your vehicle.
- Never leave valuables visible inside your car—they’re an open invitation for theft.
- Report any suspicious activity immediately to local authorities.
Beyond prevention measures, community leaders are calling for educational programs aimed at teaching young people about the severe consequences of auto theft—not just for themselves but for everyone they endanger.
A Wake-Up Call for Change
This latest chase is more than just another headline—it’s a wake-up call for New Jersey communities grappling with rising juvenile crime. The five teens arrested Wednesday night are part of a larger story about systemic issues driving youth toward reckless behavior.
As investigators continue piecing together what led to this dangerous joyride, one thing is clear: addressing this problem will require collaboration between law enforcement, educators, parents, and community leaders alike.
For now, Paramus can breathe a sigh of relief knowing no lives were lost during this harrowing incident—but how long until another chase begins?
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