Troopers Issue Carjacking Alert in Newark Area
Newark, N.J. � Twice this week carjackers have stolen similar cars after bumping them from behind on Route 78.
Both vehicles were 2013 Mercedes Benzes that were struck by different suspect vehicles. After the victims pulled over and
exited their cars, a second suspect from the striking vehicle jumped in the Mercedes and both cars drove off. Neither victim
was injured and no weapons were observed. The bumping of the targeted car was clearly an attempt to get the victim to exit
his vehicle.
The first incident occurred on Tuesday morning, June 11th at 10:45 a.m. The victim had just rented a grey Mercedes GL
from a Newark Airport agency and was driving west on Rt. 78 when he was struck by a white Chevrolet sedan. As the victim
exited and was examining the damage, a black male of average height with long dreadlocks got out of the Chevy and jumped in
the driver's seat of the Mercedes, and both cars drove away. The victim witnessed both vehicles leave the highway at Exit 56,
which goes into Newark City.
The second carjacking happened this morning, June 14th, at about 6:20 a.m. in the eastbound express lanes of Rt. 78 in
Newark. A black Mercedes CLS was bumped from behind by a dark Audi sedan. The victim got out on the shoulder to examine
his car. Two black males got out of the Audi, both about 6-foot tall, one skinny with long dreadlocks and the other heavy.
One of them jumped into the Mercedes driver抯 seat. As the victim tried to stop this man, a third black male exited the Audi
and charged at him. The victim released the car door and the two suspects re-entered the Audi and both cars drove away.
The State Police are urging anyone whose vehicle is hit from behind to think carefully about their response and take appropriate
actions to maintain their safety.
- First, never stop your vehicle in the traveled part of the road unless it is disabled
- Next, call 911 to report the crash
- Look for signage to identify your location to police dispatchers. Especially useful are those green milepost
markers that are placed every 1/10th mile on many highways.
- If you抮e concerned that a minor crash may have been intentional, lock your doors and roll up your windows until
police arrive. If your safety is still jeopardized, move your vehicle to a safer place and advise police of your location.
Troopers from Somerville Station are actively working with detectives in the State Police Auto Unit, Troop B Criminal Investigation
Office, and Newark PD. Extra patrols have been scheduled and police in the area have been alerted to watch for suspicious activity
that might be connected with these two carjackings.
Anyone with information that might help these investigations is asked to call Somerville State Police Station at 908-725-0107.
We have no photographs or video of the suspects to release at this time.
Follow the New Jersey State Police online at and
. The social media links provided are for reference only.
The New Jersey State Police do not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.
For additional information visit our website at www.njsp.org.
# # #
|
