Pair charged in car theft after crash

Pair charged in car theft
after crash

EAST BRUNSWICK — Two New Brunswick residents were arrested last week after they allegedly stole a car from the Brunswick Square Mall parking lot, Route 18, crashed it into a nearby building while being pursued by police, and then fled on foot.

Police said two officers observed the suspects break into a white 1994 Honda Accord and drive westbound on Rues Lane toward Summerhill Road at 9:10 p.m. last Thursday. East Brunswick officers Daniel Melnick and Michael Plaskon said they followed the vehicle and tried to stop it, but it speeded up.

While being chased by police, the two men — identified as Darren K. Dillon and Vyachesia V. Shcherbin, both 22 — lost control of the vehicle as they crossed Summerhill Road, crashing into and penetrating the interior of a building at 800 Ryders Lane. The impact of the vehicle severed the building’s gas line and meter, according to police, who called in PSE&G to address the problem.

After the accident, both suspects allegedly fled on foot, police said, and were spotted running behind the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School by a motorist.

Almost an hour later, special police officers Kevin Palmer and Michael Sauvigne, who were on patrol in the Pathmark parking lot, Route 18, noticed the suspects hiding near the lot’s clothing drop-off bins, according to police. The part-time officers detained the pair until Melnick responded and identified them as the alleged car thieves.

One of the suspects, Dillon, was only wearing one shoe and reportedly continued to deny being in the car. However, police said the other matching shoe was found inside of the wrecked Honda.

Both men were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a burglary tool (a screwdriver was allegedly used to enter and punch the ignition). Dillon, who police said is believed to have been the driver of the stolen vehicle, was also charged with eluding police. Police said Dillon also had a $20,000 warrant out of Middlesex County due to alleged theft by deception, as well as traffic warrants from area towns.

The suspects were lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in lieu of $20,000 bail each.