Police arrest suspects in May vehicle thefts

VERNON — Vernon and Hardyston police recently ended a two-month-long investigation into three stolen vehicles by making three arrests.

Jonathan Canales, 23, of Green was arrested on July 30 by detectives at his Green Township residence and charged with conspiracy to commit theft, theft of a motor vehicle and hinder the apprehension. Angel Morales, 18, of East Orange also was charged the same day with conspiracy to commit theft, theft of a motor vehicle and hinder the apprehension. Jason Torres, 23, of Newark has been in the Essex County Jail on unrelated motor-vehicle theft charges and was charged with conspiracy to commit theft, theft of a motor vehicle and eluding.

On May 13, police said a Honda Civic was stolen in Vernon Township shortly after 2 a.m., from a residence on County Highway 565. Hardyston Police conducted a motor vehicle stop of the stolen vehicle while Vernon Patrol was in the process of taking the report of that vehicle theft. The suspect vehicle at first stopped for Hardyston police, but then led police on a pursuit down Route 23 south through Hamburg Borough, Franklin Borough and into Stockholm. The suspects lost control of the vehicle on Route 23, striking a telephone pole and two suspects fled on foot from police. Police said one of the suspects then stole a second vehicle in Hardyston Township, leading police on another pursuit down the railroad tracks near route 23 in Stockholm. When the suspect could no longer drive down the train tracks and he fled on foot, through a thick wooden area, police said.

A third vehicle was then reported stolen in Hardyston Township later that morning and was recovered in Newark on May 14.

Hardyston and Vernon police detectives with technical assistance form Det. Thomas Laird of the Sussex County Prosecutors Office were able to identify three suspects during their investigation.