Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that 18-year-old Zion Jenkins and a 16-year-old female juvenile have been arrested in East Orange and charged with receiving stolen property.
The preliminary investigation indicates on Tuesday Nov. 23, at approximately 8:22 p.m. a 2019 Jaguar XE was stolen during a strong-armed carjacking in the parking lot of a Pomp-ton Avenue office building in Cedar Grove.
The suspects struck the rear of the victim’s vehicle as she was exiting the parking lot.
The victim and the driver of the vehicle exited their respective vehicles to check the damage at which point a male exited the passenger side of the suspect vehicle, entered the driver’s seat of the victim’s vehicle and proceeded to travel south on Pompton Avenue.
Approximately 25 minutes later the victim’s vehicle was recovered on the 200 block of Prospect Avenue in East Orange.
During the recovery of the vehicle East Orange Police apprehended Jenkins and the juvenile who were observed exiting the vehicle.
It is alleged that Jenkins was in possession of a semi-automatic handgun.
Both suspects were transported to the East Orange Police Department.
The juvenile was charged with receiving stolen property.
The male was also charged with receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of weapons.
The juvenile’s name is not being released because of her age.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Stephens commended the Cedar Grove and the East Orange Police for their assistance.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.