**Teens on Joyride Cause Significant Damage to Home in Washington Township, NJ**
WASHINGTON TWP., N.J. — Washington Township police report that a joyride involving teenagers caused significant damage to a home early Tuesday morning. Part of the incident was captured on surveillance video in New Jersey.
The crash occurred along Covered Bridge Court in Canterbury Mews at approximately 2:20 a.m. Surveillance footage shows the car hitting two air conditioners, the back of a condo, and a fence. About 20 seconds after the collision, the vehicle reverses and quickly speeds onto the street. The occupants then exit the car.
“Upon coming downstairs, I heard female voices screaming, ‘I’m scared, I’m scared!’” recalled neighbor Alisa DeMayo. Police later revealed that the vehicle was driven by two 13-year-old girls, who fled the scene soon after the crash.
“It sounded like a bomb. I thought something crashed into my roof,” said DeMayo. Neighbors described the sound of the impact as shockingly loud.
Next-door neighbor Don Prevary’s security camera captured part of the incident. “She thought it was a gun going off. Then I looked out and saw this car flying backwards out of there,” Prevary said.
Police discovered the damaged vehicle, with noticeable front-end damage, parked on Rutland Court, just down the street. Officers woke the homeowners and found the teens unharmed despite the crash.
Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik commented, “There’s no school today. They were allowed to stay up late, got bored, and decided to take mom’s car for a ride around the development. We’re grateful—this could’ve ended tragically.”
A township building inspector later assessed the damaged home and deemed it safe for the residents to remain.
The names of the teens are not being released. Chief Gurcsik stated that they will be issued traffic citations, which typically result in fines and/or community service.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/new-jersey-teens-steal-parents-car-crash-home-during-joyride-washington-township-video-police-say/18147422/
