By: Richard L. Smith
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald reported the arrest of a 15-year-old in connection with a violent carjacking incident at a gas station in Bernards Township on Wednesday, November 6.
The incident occurred around 11:35 a.m. when Bernards Township Police received a 9-1-1 call reporting an attempted vehicle theft and assault.
The juvenile suspect allegedly struck an adult male resident of Bernards Township while the man was outside his vehicle, inflating his tires.
A
According to authorities, the juvenile then entered the vehicle and, as he reversed, the victim and another individual trying to regain control of the car fell backwards.
In a sudden move, the juvenile accelerated forward, running over the victim, who became trapped beneath the vehicle.
Gas station attendants acted quickly, using a jack to lift the vehicle and free the victim, who was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Following an investigation by the Bernards Township Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team, the juvenile was taken into custody later that day.
He now faces multiple charges, including 1st-degree carjacking, 1st-degree robbery, and 2nd-degree aggravated assault.
He is currently held at the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center pending a court hearing.Â
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to understand the full details of this case.