Man Charged In Carjacking, Kidnapping, Robbery Of Hillside Man

HILLSIDE, NJ — A man was arrested in connection with allegedly carjacking, kidnapping, and robbing a Hillside man at gunpoint earlier this week, authorities announced.

JaVohn Berrouet, 24, of Irvington is charged with first-degree carjacking, first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, two first-degree weapons offenses, and three second-degree weapons offenses, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan and Hillside Police Department Capt. Lashonda Burgess jointly announced.

The Hillside victim was reportedly on Avy Street when the carjacking took place at about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6.

Two men then showed handguns and drove the victim to local banks, where they ordered him to withdraw cash, according to the preliminary investigation.

The victim was later found in Irvington Thursday morning, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to the report.

Berrouet was identified as a suspect in the case followed by an investigation by the Hillside Police Department.

Berrouet was arrested Thursday night at his home in Irvington with the help of the New Jersey State Police without incident. A ski mask and a .45-caliber handgun were also found at the scene, police report.

Berrouet was lodged in Union County Jail pending a first appearance and a detention hearing.

Berrouet faces 10 to 20 years in state prison on the first-degree criminal charges or 15 to 30 years on a kidnapping conviction.

This case remains under active investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact detectives Natalie Ogonowski, Sean Young or Cosimo Tripoli at 973-926-5800, extensions 204, 205, or 207, respectively.

The Union County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an additional arrest and indictment in this case; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org.

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