13-year-old arrested in carjacking, then again 2 days later

NEWARK — Two days after he was taken into custody for carjacking, police have arrested a 13-year-old boy again, this time for receiving stolen property.

In a statement on Sunday, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said the teen was arrested by Maplewood police Sunday at about 10:30 a.m. after officers located a BMW on 19th Street that had previously been carjacked. Police say they observed two suspects near the BMW, holding an item that was taken from the victim during the carjacking.

Maplewood police arrested Justyn Knight, 22 and the 13-year-old, who was identified as the same teen that had been taken into custody Friday. Both males were later turned over to the custody of Newark Police.

"The teenager was wanted for an outstanding Newark carjacking warrant and Knight for an outstanding court violation warrant," the police director said in a statement.

The teen was charged with carjacking, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection the Friday carjacking.

"On Friday after his arrest, the courts ordered his release, although the teenager was being investigated for his involvement in carjackings in Orange, Maplewood and a Friday morning carjacking in Newark’s Northward," Ambrose said. "On Friday, at the time of his arrest, the teenager had three key fobs which matched the makes of three vehicle taken during carjackings or attempted carjacking hours before his capture."

According to authorities, police had been actively seeking the teen when he was arrested by Maplewood police Sunday.

"It is disheartening to our officers and their victims that individuals are allowed to go free where they can continue to pose a threat to our society," Ambrose said in a statement.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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