Man, 18, Nabbed with Wheelchair Stolen from NJ Teen: Police

An alert police officer spotted the wheelchair outside the suspect's house

An 18-year-old suspect has been charged with the theft of a wheelchair needed by a New Jersey teen who has cerebral palsy, police said Saturday.

Michael Peralta, of Palisade Park, is accused of driving off in the motorized wheelchair Thursday afternoon from a residence in the Wood Park Condominiums in Leonia. Surveillance video shows someone riding in the wheelchair.

The chair belongs to a 14-year-old boy, who police identified only as Courtney.

Peralta was charged with third-degree theft and the unlawful taking of a means of conveyance. He was remanded to Bergen County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. There was no information available as to whether Peralta has obtained a lawyer who could comment on the charges.

Leonia Police Officer Sihoon Chung spotted the wheelchair outside Peralta's house while on routine patrol and made the arrest.

The wheelchair was returned to its owner.

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