By: Richard L. Smith
In a tense encounter on Monday night, a Newark man turned the tables on a teenage would-be carjacker, seizing the suspect's weapon and holding him at gunpoint until authorities arrived.
The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. on August 12, when the victim was sitting in his vehicle parked in the 400 block of Peshine Avenue.
According to a an information request released to RLS Media by Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé, a 16-year-old male approached the car from the passenger side, brandishing a firearm and demanding the driver’s money, phone, and personal belongings.
Director Frage said what followed was a dramatic struggle for survival.
The victim, refusing to submit, grabbed the gun from the suspect, engaging in a physical struggle inside the vehicle.
Ultimately, the victim overpowered the attacker, wresting the firearm away and contacting the police while holding the suspect at bay.
Director Frage said when officers arrived at the scene, they took the 16-year-old suspect, a Newark resident, into custody without further incident.
The teen now faces multiple charges, including robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of prohibited ammunition.
While this incident ended in success, New Jersey authorities caution against engaging in confrontations with armed individuals.
They advise that, in such situations, it is safer to comply with demands to avoid potentially serious injuries.
The incident remains under investigation.