Police seized two handguns and recovered two stolen vehicles in separate incidents that occurred within an hour on Monday.
According to police, the first incident began a little after 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 29, when Officers located an occupied stolen vehicle parked on E. Elizabeth Avenue near Zeigler Avenue.
Police said that as the officers approached the vehicle, the driver, a 17-year-old male from Linden, suddenly reversed the vehicle, striking one of the Officers with the door, before fleeing the scene.
A second suspect, a 15-year-old male from Newark, was arrested at the scene.
According to police officials, officers responding to the area located the stolen vehicle after it crashed into a tree a few blocks away.
Police said that the driver ran from the scene of the crash and was apprehended after a short chase. A .45 caliber airsoft gun with the orange tip removed was recovered from the vehicle.
According to police, just before 8:30 p.m., Officers responded to the 7-Eleven store located at 2309 E. Edgar Road on reports of a robbery.
Police said that the clerk reported that the suspect entered the store, brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the cashier. The clerk complied, and the man fled the scene. Moments later, at about 8:45 p.m., Officers responded to Moe’s Southwest Grill, 1701 W. Edgar Road, on reports of a second robbery.
According to police, the employee reported that the suspect entered the store and brandished a handgun before he reached over the counter, grabbed money from the drawer, and fled the scene.
Police officials said that Officers quickly determined that the robberies were committed by the same suspects. A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle abandoned in the area of Pleasant Avenue and Linden Avenue.
According to police, officers converged on the area, and a systematic search was conducted with the assistance of Officers from the Rahway Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, and Union County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Police said that the first suspect, a 17-year-old man from Bridgeton, was located and arrested on the 1900 block of West Elizabeth Avenue in Rahway.
Detectives located and arrested the second suspect, Raheim Myers, 19, of East Orange, a short time later on the 2300 block of W. Elizabeth Avenue.
Detectives also recovered a black imitation firearm from the area.
“As these jobs demonstrate, police work is often unpredictable, and a seemingly routine situation can escalate very quickly,” Police Chief David Hart said.
“We are extremely proud of the work done in this case, and we are grateful that Police Officers from here in Linden and across the state work tirelessly every day to stop these violent criminals and take them off our streets.”
Juvenile complaints were filed against the 17-year-old juvenile from Linden for eluding, possession of a weapon, receiving stolen property, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Juvenile complaints were filed against the 15-year-old juvenile from Newark for receiving stolen property, possession of a weapon and related charges.
Juvenile complaints were filed against the 17-year-old juvenile from Bridgeton for robbery and weapons charges, possession of stolen property, aggravated assault, and related charges.
Myers was charged with receiving stolen property.
These incidents remain under investigation, and anyone with information about these or any criminal activity is urged to contact the Linden Police Department Detective Bureau at (908) 474-8537.