Police: Short Trip for Carjacker

An 18-year-old city man was arrested yesterday just minutes after he stole a luxury sports car at gunpoint, Newark police said today.

Anthony Reynolds emerged from a 2006 BMW and allegedly approached the driver of a 2008 Porsche near Bloomfield and Highland avenues, pointing a gun at the driver and ordering him out.

Minutes later, at around 5:30 pm, the driver flagged down a police car near Bloomfield and Lake Street. Officers quickly found the car nearby after it appeared to have broken down. Reynolds, who was still inside the car, ran as officers approached, discarding a loaded .38 caliber gun as he fled through backyards on Highland Avenue, according to police.

Nearby officers from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit and helped capture Reynolds near 102 Highland Ave. Police also found the BMW, which had also been stolen, idling and abandoned on Highland Avenue. An accomplice believed to have been in the BMW with Reynolds is still at large, police also said. 

Reynolds was charged with carjacking, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and conspiracy.

Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio stated, “I applaud the officers for their tireless efforts and quick actions in apprehending this dangerous suspect and recovering both the victim’s and suspect’s vehicles as well as the firearm used during the crime, without incident. I also thank our law enforcement partners from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department for their response and assistance in the apprehension.”