3 burglary suspects seriously injured in fiery car crash after police chase in Parsippany

ByEyewitness News

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

3 burglary suspects injured in fiery crash after police chase in NJ

Anthony Johnson has more from Roxbury.

PARSIPPANY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A botched store break-in that set off an alarm led to a police chase and a fiery car crash in Parsippany on Tuesday.

The crash happened at the intersection of Route 10 and Powder Mill Road just after 6 a.m.

Officials say the chase began after a break-in at Couture Traders in Roxbury. It was the fourth time the store has been targeted, according to owner Nolan Forlenza. Only this time, the thieves were unsuccessful at grabbing some of the store's most fashionable merchandise.

"It's getting very difficult to the amount of theft that's going on is so unbelievable," Forlenza said. "And the amount of costs we have to do, we have to lay out to try to secure our stores is getting out of control."

The suspects climbed on the roof and kicked in a window, and were able to knock out a few steel bars to gain access to the building, which caused an alarm to go off. They were immediately met by police.

The chase ended when the car slammed into a median and then caught fire.

Police arrested four people, with one of the suspects being caught after he ran through the woods before the chase.

Three of the suspects suffered serious injuries from the crash. They were taken to Morristown Medical Center.

"They keep looking for the expensive handbags," added Forlenza. "They're going everywhere for them. I guess they decided that if they got in three times, they'd come for the fourth. But this time they got caught."

The burglaries of stores selling high-end purses and handbags have grown nationwide, making it tough for owners to stay in business. Local ordinances in Roxbury prevent stores from pitting up gates on the outside.

Forlenza acknowledged he is hoping this most recent incident changes the narrative surrounding bail reform laws, which make it possible for suspects to avoid consequences for committing such crimes.

"We feel great about this," he said. "This is a very relieving feeling that they finally got them. We hope this will be the end of it."