Carjacker Punched, Dragged Man From Jeep During Theft Outside NJ Post Office: Prosecutor

FLEMINGTON, NJ — A man was dragged from his Jeep and punched by an alleged thief during a carjacking outside of a U.S. Post Office in Flemington on Monday, said Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson.

On Monday, the victim parked his Jeep Gladiator next to the United States Post Office on Capner Street in Flemington Borough.

He got out of the Jeep and left it running with the keys inside while he went inside the post office, said Robeson.

The victim then saw Zachary Verrastro, 36, of Asbury, driving away in his Jeep and chased him, said Robeson.

A confrontation began where the victim was dragged by the Jeep and punched by Verrastro as he continued to drive away, according to authorities.

As Verrastro continued to drive, he hit an occupied, moving vehicle and another parked vehicle, said Robeson.

Verrastro was stopped in front of the Hunterdon County Justice Center by Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Dean Cerdeira.

The victim suffered injuries from the theft.

The Flemington Borough Police Department charged Verrastro with first-degree carjacking, fourth-degree assault by auto, second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, and disorderly persons criminal mischief.

Verrastro is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing court on Tuesday.

He faces between 10 and 20 years and a fine not to exceed $200,000 on the first-degree charges. For the second-degree charges, he faces a term of imprisonment between five and 10 years and a fine not to exceed $150,000.

For the third-degree charges, Verrastro faces a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine not to exceed $15,000. And for the disorderly persons offenses, he faces a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months and a fine not to exceed $1,000.

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