2 charged after carjacked SUV hits utility pole in Orange, officials say

Orange, East Orange men face charges after they allegedly tried to evade authorities

ORANGE -- Two men were arrested after they fled from a carjacked vehicle that crashed into a utility pole in Orange, city officials said Tuesday.

Kassan Messiah, 18, of East Orange, and Shaquille Hargrove, 20, of Orange, were charged with receiving stolen property, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension. Orange police said the duo are also suspected in several carjackings in the area.

Both men were arrested separately on South Harrison Street and Webster Place in East Orange after authorities chased the stolen 2007 Toyota RAV4 they were riding in, officials said. There were no injuries from the pursuit and crash. The Toyota was reported as carjacked earlier last week, according to officials. 

"Our officers, with the assistance of East Orange police, have taken two dangerous criminals off our streets before anyone could be hurt," Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren said in a statement. "This is our professional law enforcement at its finest."

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.