WARREN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Four Newark men are facing charges after police said a stolen vehicle led officers on a pursuit through Warren Township and onto Interstate 78 early Thursday morning.
Kaleem N. Blue, 20; Shamel S. Souvenir, 19; Brandon A. Brown-Shaw, 24; and Al-Rahman I. Howard, 18, were arrested following the Sept. 24 pursuit, according to Warren Township Police Chief Robert W. Ferreiro.
Police said they received an automated license plate reader alert at about 2 a.m. indicating that a stolen BMW X3 had entered the township. Officers confirmed the vehicle was still listed as stolen in law enforcement databases and began searching for it.
Within minutes, officers from the Warren Township and Bernards Township police departments located the BMW in the area of Liberty Corner Road, police said. The vehicle allegedly fled, prompting officers to begin a pursuit.
Additional officers successfully deployed tire deflation devices during the pursuit, which continued onto I-78 eastbound. Police pursued the BMW for several miles before it became disabled near Exit 40.
Police said Blue, who was allegedly driving, fled on foot but was apprehended following a brief foot chase. Souvenir, Brown-Shaw and Howard also allegedly attempted to flee the vehicle but were prevented from doing so and taken into custody without incident.
Blue was charged with second-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle, second-degree conspiracy to receive a stolen motor vehicle, second-degree eluding, third-degree resisting arrest, fourth-degree credit card theft and possession of burglar’s tools, a disorderly persons offense.
Souvenir, Brown-Shaw and Howard were each charged with second-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle, second-degree conspiracy to receive a stolen motor vehicle and possession of burglar’s tools, a disorderly persons offense.
“Let these arrests serve as a clear warning to anyone having the intention of victimizing our residents. Our officers are proactive, our residents are vigilant, and we will not allow our community to become a target for criminal activity. Those who choose to engage in criminal behavior here should expect an immediate and decisive response from the Warren Township Police Department. We will continue to work closely with our municipal, county, state, and federal partners to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who threaten our safety and security,” Ferreiro said.
Warren Township police thanked the Bernards Township Police Department and New Jersey State Police for their assistance.
