Two teenage boys were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly sneaking out of a babysitting job in Budd Lake to take the homeowner's Ford Mustang on a joyride.
Two 17-year-old boys were charged with stealing a car from a home in Budd Lake they were supposed to be babysitting at, police say. MOUNT OLIVE - Two teenage boys were arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly sneaking out of a babysitting job in Budd Lake to take the homeowner's Ford Mustang on a joyride.
Around 12:50 a.m. Mount Olive Police Officer Thomas Cuff responded to the area of Smithtown Road after receiving a report that a car had crashed into a tree, police said.
The boys, both 17 and from Budd Lake, got out of the vehicle and ran in the direction of Sand Shore Road, witnesses told the officer.
While the officer was running the car's license plate number, he recalled seeing the vehicle parked outside of a home in the Budd Lake section of town earlier that evening, police said.
Cuff responded to the home, where he found the boys, both of whom had injuries consistent with being in a car accident, police said.
During the course of his investigation the officer learned the boys were supposed to be babysitting when they decided to take the car for a spin, police said.
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After the teen driver lost control of the car and crashed it into a tree, the pair fled and ran back to the home, police said.
The two were arrested and transported to police department, where their parents were contacted.
One of the boys was charged with auto theft, child neglect, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, and violating the terms of his graduated driver's license by operating a motor vehicle after hours, police said.
The other was charged with auto theft, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane, and operating a motor vehicle after the hours allowed by his graduated driver's license, police said.
Both were released to their parents and have upcoming appearances in court, police said.
Kimberly Redmond may be reached at kredmond@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @kr0618. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
