An Elizabeth man was taken into custody following an early morning crash involving a stolen motor vehicle.

On December 21, 2022 at approximately 0730 hours, an alert Blake Avenue resident contacted the Cranford Police Department after observing a white Mercedes traveling suspiciously slow through their neighborhood, stopping behind several parked vehicles. 

Officer Ali Muhammad observed the Mercedes driving recklessly on Walnut Avenue and as the Mercedes accelerated at a high rate of speed towards South Avenue, Officer Muhammad attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop.  The Mercedes, operated by 18-year-old Tyquil Baldwin of Elizabeth New Jersey, crashed into a secondary vehicle a short distance away at the intersection of South Avenue and High Street.

After crashing, Baldwin fled on foot as Officer Muhammad broadcasted the description of the suspect to responding units. Baldwin was ultimately apprehended by Captain Guy Patterson after a lengthy foot chase through several back yards. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The recovered Mercedes was later determined to have been stolen from Clark New Jersey as it was left unoccupied and running in a driveway.

Baldwin was charged with 2^nd Degree Aggravated Assault, 2^nd Degree Eluding, 3^rd Degree Receiving Stolen Property, and 4^th Degree Resisting Arrest. Baldwin was remanded to the Union County Jail where he awaits a detention hearing.

Chief Greco commended the officers involved in this investigation and warned residents about motor vehicle thefts during colder seasons.  “We often see an uptick in early morning motor thefts during the winter months as people commonly will let their cars warm up in the driveway,” he said.  

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Release by D/Lt. Spencer Durkin, Alternate PIO

s-durkin@cranfordnj.org

908-709-7346