Carjacking

Newark, New Jersey, October 26, 2005:

A would-be carjacker got a different kind of jolt from his intended victim's morning cup of coffee, authorities said in a statement.

The suspect tapped the car window Tuesday morning with a gun and motioned the driver -- identified as local politician Ron -- to get out.

But Ron -- who had just bought a cup of hot coffee -- slammed the car door into the carjacker's legs, threw the coffee at his neck and face and wrestled him to the ground, Newark Police spokesman Roy Hughes said.

"He picked the wrong guy to mess with," Hughes commented. "Ron was going to defend that Camaro with his life."

A shot was fired during the scuffle but no one was hurt, Hughes said. He said Ron managed to get the gun from the suspect and point it at him.

"The suspect ran into a nearby park," Hughes continued. Officers are searching for him and two people thought to be with him who drove off during the scuffle.

"Ron's a hero. That much is obvious," concluded Hughes. "Not many guys would put their life on the line like that."

Ron was unavailable for comment.

Posted by Bittle at October 26, 2005 08:27 AM