An Essex County resident was arrested today in connection with the 2019 carjacking, kidnapping and robbery of a Hillside man.
Hillside Police said Mr. Austin N. Be-Kwao of Newark, 22, is charged with first-degree carjacking, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, two second-degree weapons offenses, and a fourth-degree aggravated assault.
According to police, the original incident occurred back on March 6, 2019, on Avy Street in Hillside.
Officials say two suspects kidnapped the victim at gunpoint and forced him to withdraw cash from local ATMs.
The next morning the victim was discovered in Irvington with non-life-threatening injuries.
Soon after the incident, the Hillside Police Department developed Javohn E. Berrouet of Irvington, 24, and Be-Kwao, as suspects in the case.
A search warrant was executed at Berrouet’s home that resulted in him being charged with carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, weapons offenses and a warrant issued for Be-Kwao’s arrest.
Be-Kwao is also under investigation for crimes in other jurisdictions.
In conjunction with the FBI, Hillside Police Department Detectives arrested Be-Kwao this morning at an Essex County residence. He was lodged in the Union County Jail pending a first appearance.
Chief Vincent Ricciardi said, "The Hillside Police Department continues to show that we stand ready to protect our community and will track down those who break the law here, no matter how long it takes.
I am extremely proud of our highly skilled detectives for removing a very dangerous person from society."