Newark teens carjacked woman in Paterson. Police officers quickly chased and arrested them.
By Jonathan Greene
Published: February 13, 2022
A pair of teenagers from Newark dragged a woman out of her vehicle and carjacked her in South Paterson late Saturday night, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Police arrested a 17-year-old and a 13-year-old, both of Newark.
Police said the incident unfolded at around 11:30 p.m. outside 828 Main Street. Suspects opened the door of the woman victim’s gray Honda CRV with Connecticut plates. They grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the vehicle.
Police officer Eddy Pichardo observed the car jacking and began to pursue the suspect vehicle traveling on Getty Avenue. The 17-year-old was driving, and the 13-year-old was a passenger in the vehicle. Both suspects had prior charges for similar offenses, police said.
Pichardo tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle led him on a chase onto Main Street in Paterson and Clifton. The vehicle entered the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy on Main Street and Crooks Avenue through a driveway in the rear of the building. The suspect vehicle struck the push bumper of a marked police vehicle. Police officer Ryan Fitzsimmons was behind the suspect vehicle in the parking lot. Unable to stop, he struck the suspect vehicle in the rear with his push bumper.
Police vehicle sustained minor damage to the push bar bumpers.
Police arrested the driver, but the passenger tried to flee on foot. The 13-year-old passenger was chased for a block on foot before placed under arrest.
No suspects or officers were injured.
“Officer Pichardo was quick in his actions and as a result identified and ended this situation quickly,” Speziale said.