Newark Man Arrested in Connection with Attempted Carjacking

Newark, NJ – A Newark man has been arrested and charged with carjacking after a harrowing incident on Bloomfield Avenue last weekend, where he allegedly threatened to drive off with a mother and her two children. The suspect, identified as Pedro Salazar, 28, was apprehended after a brief pursuit.

Details of the Incident

On Sunday, March 8, just before 8 p.m., Newark police responded to a call regarding a carjacking on Bloomfield Avenue, according to Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr. A man had exited a store, leaving a woman and her two children, ages 17 and 4, inside a parked vehicle. Salazar allegedly entered the driver’s seat and demanded the woman exit the car, threatening to drive off with the children if she didn’t comply.

The woman and her children safely exited the vehicle before Salazar drove off.

Police Pursuit and Arrest

Thanks to a vehicle tracker, police quickly located the stolen car on Mt. Prospect Place. However, Salazar fled again, heading northbound and colliding with a parked car before abandoning the vehicle on Clifton Avenue.

Salazar then fled on foot, hiding in multiple backyards on Clifton Avenue and Ridge Street. Officers eventually caught him on Parker Street.

Charges Filed

Pedro Salazar now faces carjacking charges. “I commend the 2nd Precinct Officers who apprehended this suspect for carjacking a vehicle occupied by a mother and her two children. These officers were persistent in searching for the suspect,” Director Miranda said.

The Newark Department of Public Safety announced the arrest on Facebook.