By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Essex County are actively searching for a suspect following a tragic attempted carjacking that left a delivery worker dead in Newark’s South Ward over the weekend.
According to a statement released by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Theodore N. Stephens II, and Emanuel Miranda, the incident occurred around 12:44 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of Bergen Street.
Officials said Newark police were dispatched to reports of a crash involving two vehicles and a pedestrian.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had briefly left his vehicle unattended while making a package delivery when a suspect allegedly jumped inside and attempted to steal it.
Authorities say the victim, identified as 46-year-old Jhon Aponte Alarcon of Elizabeth, attempted to stop the theft by holding onto the vehicle as the suspect drove off.
The vehicle continued southbound on Bergen Street before crashing into a parked car.
The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, fatally crushing the victim, officials said.
The suspect then fled the scene on foot and remains at large.
Alarcon was transported to University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities work to identify and locate the suspect. 
Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement.