BELLEVILLE, NJ – Aug. 6, 2019 – Two Newark males have been arrested and one has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an early morning carjacking that has left one township resident hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
The males are accused of entering the residence of Christian Guato at 68 Prospect St. shortly after 4 a.m. and taking a 2016 Toyota Highlander and the keys to a Toyota RAV4, Belleville Lt. John McAloon said Tuesday.
At 4:43 a.m., Newark Police found the Highlander flipped over.
The males apparently returned to 68 Prospect St. in Belleville to take the RAV4. When the owner saw them, they fled.
The males then entered the home of James and Grimanesa Dillon at 70 High St. and took the keys to their Lincoln MKC.
Grimanesa noticed them trying to start the car in the driveway.
James, 59, tried to block their getaway and then jumped onto the hood in an attempt to stop them.
He hung on as the car zigzagged down several streets before falling off at Bridge Street near Mill Street, police said.
Dillon was taken to University Hospital after suffering head trauma and a broken collarbone.
Lorenzo Esiahs, 18, of Morris Avenue in Newark, was taken into custody at about 8:40 a.m. by Newark Police after a short car chase.
He has been charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of theft, one count carjacking, five counts of conspiracy and one count of attempted murder.
Esiahs is being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility.
The charges for the 17-year-old suspect are expected to be announced Wednesday.
Police did not release the name of the 17-year-old suspect, who is being held in the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.
The Lincoln was recovered and is being processed, McAloon said.
“This is a terrible community tragedy that we are all dealing with,” said Belleville Mayor Michael Melham. “It comes on a day we mark National Night Out, a celebration of our public safety. This community has no tolerance for such crime and we pray for the victim.”
Melham urges all residents to remain vigilant and lock their doors.