16-year-old charged in theft of state trooper’s SUV

A 16-year-old boy has been charged in the theft of a state police trooper’s unmarked SUV, authorities said Wednesday.

The teenager is accused of stealing the SUV from the trooper’s residence in North Brunswick and then using it to commit two robberies and steal gas from a gas station. 

RELATED: NJ state police say trooper’s stolen SUV was used in robberies

Authorities said the teen stopped a truck driver Sunday morning and tried unsuccessfully to make the driver pay a speeding fine. He later stopped two other vehicles and stole money from those drivers.

The teen also allegedly fueled the SUV at a gas station and left without paying.

State police said the 16-year-old was arrested Wednesday after detectives developed a suspect based on forensic analysis of evidence recovered during the investigation. The teenager was not identified because he is a minor.

Investigators also recovered two issued weapons, which were inside of the trooper’s vehicle when it was stolen, Wednesday in the area of Dogwood Court in New Brunswick, authorities said.

The teen was charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, robbery, impersonating a law enforcement officer and theft by unlawful taking. State police said he was lodged at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center in lieu of bail.