Meriden Man Charged With Carjacking In Wallingford: Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — A Meriden man has been charged with carjacking after police say he pulled the victim out of the car, threw them to the ground and drove off with the vehicle during an incident in the Staples Plaza in Wallingford. At about 5:50 p.m. on Sept. 11, police responded to the Staples Plaza, located at 1145 North Colony Road, on the report of a motor vehicle theft that was later determined to be a carjacking, according to Lt. Michael Colavolpe.

Colavolpe said that through witness video of the incident and other investigative leads, the suspect was identified as Jamal Verdejo, 49, of Meriden. The victim and Verdejo did not know each other and gave conflicting stories on how they arrived at Staples Plaza, however, Colavolpe said it is known that Verdejo was in the victim’s car prior to arriving at the plaza.

While they were in the parking lot, an argument ensued inside the vehicle that turned physical.

“Verdejo exited the vehicle and walked around to the driver’s side,” Colavolpe said in a press release. “He grabbed the victim who was seated in the driver’s seat, pulled them out of the vehicle and threw them to the ground. Verdejo then drove off with the victim’s vehicle.”

The victim suffered minor injuries and the vehicle was recovered approximately one month later in Meriden, according to Colavolpe.

Verdejo, of Alcove Street in Meriden, turned himself into the Wallingford Police Department on Dec. 12. He was charged with robbery by carjacking, second-degree larceny and third-degree assault. He was detained on a $75,000 bond and will be arraigned in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 12.

Pictured: Jamal Verdejo, 49, of Meriden / Wallingford Police Department