Bernards Township police notified surrounding municipalities of a missing juvenile from a residential school within their township, Berkeley Heights police said. The juvenile was found at a family member's residence in Berkeley Heights hours later but fled prior to the arrival of the police, officers said.
Officers then conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle reported stolen from Bernards Township earlier in the day, police said. The driver of the vehicle, was identified as the missing juvenile, police said.
An investigation revealed the juvenile had also shoplifted items from Walgreens and CVS stores in Berkeley Heights prior to being located by the police, officers said.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and shoplifting, police said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Toms River and receive free news updates.