Five suspects are in custody following a dramatic 45-minute police chase that began in Fort Lee and ended when a stolen luxury SUV crashed on the grounds of an East Orange elementary school. The three-wheeled BMW X7 crossed a football field and basketball court before colliding with part of Sheila Oliver Academy around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, leaving car parts scattered across the campus and prompting a temporary lockdown, according to ABC7 New York .
New Jersey State Police followed the vehicle from the George Washington Bridge across multiple jurisdictions before the dramatic conclusion. No injuries to students or staff were reported, though the school grounds sustained significant damage.
Multi-County Pursuit
The incident began approximately 13 miles away in Fort Lee with what authorities describe as a home break-in, according to News 12 New Jersey . State Police first encountered the stolen BMW X7 on the Cross Bronx Expressway before following it across the George Washington Bridge and onto the New Jersey Turnpike.
The pursuit continued through multiple jurisdictions before the suspects exited in Newark, where the vehicle struck a parked car and lost its front passenger wheel. Despite operating on just three wheels, the driver continued the escape attempt through Newark and into East Orange.
School Campus Damaged
Witnesses reported seeing the damaged BMW jump a curb onto Columbian Park’s field adjacent to Sheila Oliver Academy, leaving deep tire tracks across the turf. The vehicle then crossed the athletic field and collided with basketball court bleachers before finally coming to a stop after striking a portion of the school building…