A Trenton single mom is trying to find the men who allegedly stole her minivan and were then involved in a hit-and-run crash. Yet even after police found her vehicle, the woman tells NBC10 her troubles were far from over.
The ordeal began April 27, shortly before 8 a.m. The woman, who did not want to be identified, says she went outside her house to warm up her minivan and left it running while she went inside to get her kids. Surveillance cameras outside her home were rolling when two men walked toward her vehicle, jumped into it and took off.
“I’m just glad one of my kids wasn’t in the car,” said the woman. “I checked the video cameras and I told police that I had them on video.”
After showing police the video, the woman says she was frustrated by the response she got when she followed up with detectives a few days later.
“They told me basically to call back in a week and they’d see if someone had been assigned to it,” said the woman. “It wasn’t high priority. I understand it’s not a murder or anything and they just told me to call back.”
Police told NBC10 the stolen minivan was involved in a hit-and-run that same day along MLK Boulevard. A woman was injured and the suspects ditched the vehicle.
“I hope she’s okay and I hope they find the guys for both of our sakes,” said the woman.
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NBC10 contacted Trenton Police to ask why they weren’t interested in the surveillance video or in the items the suspects allegedly left inside. A spokesperson told NBC10 the officer on the scene felt the video wasn’t clear enough. The spokesperson also said other more serious crimes have taken priority due to a lack of resources and recent layoffs in the department.
“I think it’s a pretty good video,” said the woman. “I’ve seen worse on the news and they never told me that it wasn’t good enough.”
The woman claims she was stuck with a $234 towing bill as well as a $53 ticket from police for leaving the engine of the van running, which is against New Jersey state law.
“I just wish that these people are caught whether it’s by someone who sees them and is nice enough to turn them in,” said the woman.
If you have any information on the suspects, please call police.
