the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, The New Jersey State Police have arrested Jawaun Whitted, 18, Nahji Mayes, 23, both of Newark, N.J., and Darren Troupe Jr., 29, of East Orange, N.J., after troopers linked them to several car thefts and burglaries throughout New Jersey and New York.
In September of 2020, the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit, which is comprised of State Police detectives and members of the Bernards Township Police Department, Warren Township Police Department, Paramus Police Department, Westfield Police Department, and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, with assistance from the Oakland Police Department and Deal Police Department, began investigating multiple car thefts and burglaries in New Jersey and New York.
During the three-week investigation, detectives discovered that Whitted, Troupe, and Mayes were in possession of several stolen motor vehicles including a 2019 Audi Q8. Through various investigative means, investigators determined that Troupe was driving the Audi on October 4 in Newark, N.J. when he struck another vehicle and injured the driver before fleeing the scene.
On Tuesday, October 20, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit along with members of the T.E.A.M.S and K9 Units executed search warrants at the Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel, in Newark and at a residence in East Orange. As a result of the searches, detectives recovered key fobs belonging to multiple stolen vehicles, stolen items from motor vehicle burglaries, marijuana, and $19,646 in cash. Whitted and Mayes were arrested at the Best Western Plus Robert Treat Hotel and Troupe was arrested at the East Orange residence without incident.
Jawaun Whitted, Nahji Mayes, and Darren Troupe were charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Darren Troupe was also charged with aggravated assault. They were all lodged at the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Well done.
3 cars stolen in Orchard area fri night… best part was the house had stigma free signs on the lawn! like it was Johnny from the west side..