Attempted Carjacking at Short Hills Mall Under Investigation: Report

Millburn, NJ — Millburn police are investigating an attempted carjacking that took place at The Mall At Short Hills on Thursday evening, a report says.

The victim told Millburn police that she was parking her 2015 Range Rover in the Macy's parking deck when a man wearing a black shirt and blue jeans with a gun tucked into his waistband approached her and demanded that she exit the car, NJ.com reported.

However, the woman told police that when she got out of the SUV, the would-be carjacker walked away from the scene toward JFK Parkway, NJ.com stated.

Authorities searched the area but did not find the man, police said.

In 2013, Hoboken attorney Dustin Friedland, 30, was fatally shot in the head during a carjacking when he and his wife returned to their SUV in a parking deck at the same mall.

Authorities stated that the couple's Range Rover was the target — not Friedland — in the incident.

Police briefly placed the mall on lockdown as a precaution after the shooting, according to ABC News.

• See related article: Four Essex County Men Accused of Deadly Short Hills Mall Carjacking

When a Patch reporter visited the mall following the 2013 shooting, a guest services representative would not tell the reporter whether security was increased since the shooting but said the mall "has excellent security out there everyday, as well as members of the Millburn police department."

Michael J. McAvinue, the mall's general manager, said at the time that the mall would consider reviewing its procedures in the aftermath of the shooting, according to NJ.com.

• See related article: Short Hills Mall Carjacking Victim Always Had a 'Smile and a Laugh'

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File Photo: The Mall At Short Hills parking deck in 2013