Bridgewater Teen Wanted For Armed Carjacking: Prosecutor

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Two Bridgewater teens are charged with stealing a car by pointing a gun at the head of the driver in the township. One of the teens is still on the loose, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Cody Masiello, 18, of Route 22 and a 17 year old juvenile both of Bridgewater Township were charged with the crime. The juvenile has since been apprehended but police are still searching for Masiello.

On July 18, the owner of a Toyota Corolla said he was sitting in his car in a corporate parking deck located within the township when two teens came up to him.

The black juvenile knocked on the driver’s side window, pointed a black handgun at the victim and demanded that he exit his car, according to Robertson.

After he got out of the car, the teen continued to point the gun at the victim’s head and said he was taking the car. The juvenile then got in the driver's seat while the other teen, later identified as Masiello got in the passenger seat and they fled in the car, according to the prosecutor's report.

On Saturday, July 23, the Seaside Heights Police Department spotted the Toyota Corolla, driven by black juvenile with three others inside include Masiello and pulled them over.

Masiello and the juvenile were charged by the Seaside Police with 3rd Degree Receiving Stolen Property and both were then released pending a future court appearance.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with Bridgewater Police detectives then searched Masiello's home where they found evidence belonging to the carjacking victim, Robertson said.

On July 29, the juvenile was found and arrested without incident by detectives at his residence and he was lodged in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center.

Police are still searching for Masiello who has not been apprehended.

Both Masiello and the juvenile have been charged with 1st Degree Carjacking.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Masiello is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Bridgewater Township Police Department (908) 722-4100.

Those wanting to remain anonymous can submit information by calling the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888- 577-TIPS (8477) or by going online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

(Photo, SCPO: Cody Masiello, 18, of Route 22, Bridgewater)

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