Crime & Safety
NJ Man Crushed To Death Trying To Stop Carjacking, Police Say
The victim was delivering packages when someone tried to steal his car. He tried to stop them, but was killed in the process, police say.
ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A man delivering packages was crushed to death during a carjacking in Essex County last weekend. A police search continues for the carjacker, authorities said Monday.
The fatal crash took place Saturday at 12:44 p.m. on the 800-block of Bergen Street in Newark, according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Department of Public Safety.
The victim was identified as Jhon Aponte Alarcon, 46, of Elizabeth.
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The carjacking happened after Alarcon left his vehicle unattended while delivering packages. The suspect jumped inside the car and began to drive away – but Alarcon held onto the vehicle in an attempt to stop the theft, police said.
The vehicle then traveled southbound on Bergen Street before crashing into a parked car, causing it to overturn and crush Alarcon, authorities said.
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The suspect got out of the vehicle and fled the scene on foot, police said.
Alarcon was transported to University Hospital in Newark and later pronounced deceased.
An investigation into the fatality continues. No additional details were immediately available, including a description of the suspect.
Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
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