13-year-old is charged in stolen car spree in Bayonne (2024)

A 13-year-old Jersey City boy is facing a whopping 41 charges after he was arrested in Bayonne for what police are describing as a car-stealing spree over the span of 18 days.

Bayonne police say the boy, whose name was not released because he’s a minor, stole, attempted to steal or burglarized 14 vehicles between Feb. 16 and March 4. He was arrested March 4, after police say they spotted him speeding in a stolen Hyundai, his vehicle of choice in all but two of the incidents.

Bayonne Capt. Eric Amato said a lengthy and detailed investigation determined the thief would break out a side window, enter the vehicle, access the ignition module by removing/attempting to remove the steering column covering and steal the car or attempt to do so.

The teen, driving the stolen car, was arrested on West 51st Street when he turned onto a dead end street while being pursued by police. The boy then fled on foot through an apartment complex courtyard and was caught after a brief chase.

The teen burglarized and attempted to steal three other Hyundais that day, just one day after stealing two cars and burglarizing and attempting to steal two others, Amato said. The teen was also busy Feb. 19, stealing one car and burglarizing two others, police said.

Several vehicles have been recovered in Bayonne and other jurisdictions and were returned to their owners.

All told, the teen was charged with six counts of motor vehicle theft, five counts of attempted motor vehicle theft, 13 counts of burglary, 13 counts of criminal mischief, two counts of receiving stolen property, one count of resisting arrest and one count of eluding.

Here is a list of the incidents the boy is charged with, provided by Bayonne police:

• Feb. 16: Victim reports her 2017 Hyundai stolen from the area of 43rd Street and Broadway, evidence of a broken window observed at scene. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned and recovered the same day in Jersey City. Upon recovery, it was apparent that the steering column was tampered with as well.
• Feb: 16: Victim reports her 2007 Kia burglarized and attempted to be stolen in the area of 46th and Avenue E. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.
• Feb. 17: Victim reports his 2016 Hyundai stolen from the area of 45th Street and Avenue C. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned and recovered the same day in Jersey City. Upon recovery, a side window was shattered and the steering column was tampered with as well.
• Feb. 19: Victim reports her 2017 Kia burglarized and a side window broken in the area of West 44th.
• Feb. 19: Victim reports her 2020 Hyundai stolen from the area of 46th Street and Avenue B. Side window determined to be broken.
• Feb. 19: Victim reports her 2010 Hyundai burglarized and a side window broken in the area of 43rd Street and Kennedy Boulevard. It was apparent that the steering column was tampered with as well.
• March 3: Victim reports her 2013 Hyundai stolen from the area of 44th Street and Kennedy Boulevard. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned and recovered the same day in Jersey City. Upon recovery, a side window was shattered and the steering column was tampered with as well.
• March 3: Victim reports her 2020 Hyundai burglarized and attempted to be stolen from the area of 46th Street and Avenue B. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.
• March 3: Victim reports her 2022 Hyundai burglarized and attempted to be stolen from the area of 42nd Street and Avenue B. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.
• March 3: Victim reports his 2016 Hyundai stolen from the area of West 33rd Street. The vehicle was ultimately abandoned and recovered the same day in Jersey City after being involved in a crash. Upon recovery, a side window was shattered and the steering column was tampered with as well.
• March 4: Victim reports her 2022 Hyundai burglarized and attempted to be stolen from the area of West 36th Street. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.
• March 4: Victim reports his 2013 Hyundai stolen from the area of East 23rd Street. Evidence of a broken window was observed at scene.
• March 4: Victim reports her 2020 Hyundai burglarized and attempted to be stolen from the area of 33rd Street and Avenue E. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.
• March 4: Victim reports his 2013 Hyundai burglarized and attempted to be stolen from the area of 13th Street and Kennedy Boulevard. The side window was broken and the steering column tampered with in an effort to start and steal the vehicle.