Crime & Safety
NJ Man Pleads Not Guilty To Montclair Carjacking: Prosecutors
When police spotted him in a stolen Porsche, the accused carjacker left it in the middle of I-280 and fled on foot, an FBI agent testified.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A Newark resident has pleaded not guilty after he was accused of carjacking a Porsche Cayenne in Montclair last year, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors initially announced the charges against Andy Cook, 23, of Newark, in February. Read More: Newark Man Accused Of Carjacking Porsche In Montclair
The U.S. Attorney’s Office released the following statement about the carjacking:
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“On Dec. 6, 2021, Cook’s accomplice approached the victim, who was inside her car that was parked on her driveway. The accomplice pointed a firearm at the victim and ordered the victim to leave her belongings and exit the car. Cook then entered the car and drove it away. After the victim called the police, law enforcement officers spotted the vehicle. Cook abandoned the vehicle in Newark and fled on foot before being apprehended.”
According to previous information released by prosecutors, the carjacking took place at 7:26 p.m. and was captured on video surveillance.
An FBI agent provided testimony about the incident, saying that officers spotted the stolen Porsche and followed it onto I-280 in Orange. He added:
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“Subsequently, Cook stopped driving the Porsche, left the Porsche in the middle of Interstate Route 280, and fled on foot at or near the First Street Exit of Interstate Route 280 in Newark. Then, law enforcement officers chased after Cook on foot and found him hiding in a residential building located at or near Second Street in Newark. Upon arrest, a search of Cook revealed that he was in possession of the key to the Porsche.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Cook was charged by indictment on Oct. 4 with one count of carjacking, one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.
Cook was arraigned on Oct. 18 in Newark federal court and pleaded not guilty, prosecutors said.
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