Ramapo, N.Y. — Three New Jersey teenagers have been charged following an investigation into a series of egg-throwing incidents that occurred in the Town of Ramapo, according to the Ramapo Police Department.
Police said the incidents took place on the evening of Sunday, July 19, when multiple reports were received from pedestrians in the Monsey and Airmont areas who said they had been struck by eggs thrown from a passing vehicle. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incidents prompted an investigation by the department’s Detective Bureau.
According to investigators, officers responded to several complaints involving what police described as drive-by egg-throwing incidents. Detectives interviewed witnesses, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses and residences, and analyzed information obtained through license plate reader technology in an effort to identify the vehicle involved.
The investigation led detectives to a vehicle believed to have been used during the incidents. Police subsequently identified three suspects, all residents of New Jersey.
The suspects were identified as an 18-year-old adult and two juveniles, ages 17 and 15. Because the two younger suspects are minors, their identities have not been released in accordance with New York law governing juvenile offenders.
Authorities said all three suspects were arrested on Thursday following the investigation. The adult suspect was charged through the criminal court process, while the juvenile cases are expected to proceed through the appropriate legal channels. Police have not released additional details regarding the specific charges filed against each individual.
According to the Ramapo Police Department, no victims sustained serious physical injuries during the incidents. However, officials noted that objects thrown from moving vehicles can present a significant risk to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, particularly if the objects strike someone unexpectedly or cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle.
Law enforcement officials credited a combination of investigative techniques for identifying the suspects. In addition to witness interviews, detectives utilized surveillance video and automatic license plate reader technology, which captures images of vehicle license plates at various locations. Police said the technology helped establish investigative leads that ultimately resulted in the arrests.
The investigation highlights the increasing role that video surveillance systems and license plate reader networks play in modern policing. These tools are frequently used to assist investigators in identifying vehicles associated with reported crimes and to corroborate witness statements. Police emphasized that the technology is one component of a broader investigative process that also includes physical evidence and interviews.
The Ramapo Police Department has not indicated whether investigators believe the incidents were random or whether any of the victims were specifically targeted. Authorities also have not announced whether additional suspects are being sought or whether similar incidents reported in neighboring communities may be connected.
Police encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious or dangerous behavior involving moving vehicles to report it promptly. Timely reporting, investigators said, can help preserve evidence, identify witnesses and improve the likelihood of resolving cases quickly.
The investigation has concluded with the arrests of the three suspects, although the criminal cases will now move through the judicial process. As with all criminal proceedings, the charges are allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.