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A file photo shows a car accident on Route 1 northbound between State and Perry streets that caused traffic problems.

(David Gard/The Times of Trenton)

TRENTON — A 5-year-old and two other children were arrested by police on Monday evening after allegedly throwing rocks off an overpass onto Route 1.

Eight cars driving on the highway were damaged but no injuries were reported during the rush hour criminal mischief, police said. Police were called out at 6:08 p.m. and found most of the drivers stopped on the side of the highway, said Lt. Mark Kieffer, a police spokesman.

Officer Sheehan Miles tracked the suspects, three boys aged 5, 10 and 12, to nearby Oxford Street and took them into custody.

"The witnesses positively identified them," Kieffer said.

The boys allegedly threw the rocks from the Perry Street overpass down onto Route 1, damaging the cars below in quick succession. The drivers reported broken windshields, damaged nose panels and hoods, dents to the passenger side of their vehicles and damage to front side panels, Kieffer said.

The children were taken to the police department's Youth Section to be questioned. While the 10-year-old and 12-year-old were issued juvenile petitions for criminal mischief, detectives spoke with the mother of the 5-year-old, then sent him home with her. The other boys were also sent home with family members after the petitions were written.

Police believe the children used rocks they happened to find in the area and did not bring anything with them to throw off the overpass. The three are residents of Brunswick Avenue and hang out together in the area, police said.

Anyone with further information on this case is asked to call police at (609) 989-4170 or the Confidential Tip Line at (609) 989-3663.

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