BPD: Woman Carjacked Outside of Staples

A man allegedly stole a late model sports-utility vehicle at gunpoint outside a Bloomfield shopping center and then abandoned the vehicle earlier this month, police report.

Bloomfield police say on Monday, April 8 at 10:38 a.m. a 52-year-old Cedar Grove resident was carjacked at gunpoint in the shopping plaza at 135 Bloomfield Ave. The victim reported the suspect, a black male in his early 20s, approximately 5’9” tall and wearing a black hoodie, sweatpants and a red mask, opened the driver’s side door of her 2011 Range Rover and pointed a small silver handgun at her.

The suspect ordered the woman out of the car and drove east on Bloomfield Avenue. Bloomfield police and officers from surrounding areas searched the area, but found nothing.  

The Essex County Prosecutors Office Carjacking/Major Crimes Task Force responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

That same day, the woman’s vehicle was found unoccupied in the area of Loretto Street and Lisa Court in of Newark. Bloomfield Det. Lt. Joseph Krentz and Chad Smith canvassed the area with agents from the task force.

Police say while they found a suspect who charged with the possession of a handgun, the investigation into his connection with the carjacking is ongoing.