By: Richard L. Smith
Police officers in Newark tracked down and arrested a suspect who allegedly carjacked a vehicle while a mother and her two children were inside, prompting a tense search through several city neighborhoods Sunday evening.
According to a statement released by Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr., Pedro Salazar, 28, of Newark, was taken into custody in connection with the incident that occurred on March 8.
Director Miranda praised the efforts of officers from the department’s 2nd Precinct who continued searching for the suspect after he fled both in the stolen vehicle and on foot.
Authorities said the incident unfolded at approximately 7:38 p.m. in the 100 block of Bloomfield Avenue. Police responded to reports of a carjacking after a man briefly left a vehicle parked while he entered a nearby store.
While the vehicle was unattended by the driver, officials said the suspect entered the driver’s side door and confronted a woman who was seated in the front passenger seat.
The suspect allegedly demanded that she exit the vehicle or he would drive off with the two children—ages 17 and 4—who were seated in the back.
The woman and both children exited the vehicle safely before the suspect fled eastbound on Bloomfield Avenue in the stolen car.
Police were able to track the vehicle using a locator device installed in the car. Officers soon located it near Mt. Prospect Place, but authorities said the suspect sped off again after noticing police nearby.
During the attempted escape, the suspect struck a parked vehicle while traveling northbound on Mt. Prospect Place before abandoning the stolen vehicle in the 500 block of Clifton Avenue.
Officials said the suspect then fled on foot, running through several backyards along Clifton Avenue and Ridge Street. Officers ultimately located and arrested Salazar in the 500 block of Parker Street.
Salazar has been charged with carjacking. The investigation remains active and ongoing.