Woman escapes carjacker with knifesuspect still at large

LYNDHURST – On Thursday Nov. 27, at approximately 3:58 a.m., officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from a victim who stated that she had just been car-jacked at knifepoint in the area of 205 Chub Ave. When officers arrived on scene the victim and a co-worker met them. A Weehawken woman, 38, who was the owner of the car, and a North Arlington woman, 36, had just completed loading their vehicle with newspapers, which were destined for area home deliveries.
The owner of the vehicle had gone inside of the building to complete paperwork while the passenger waited inside of the car with the engine running. The passenger then reported that an unknown man described as Hispanic, approximately 6-feet tall, with a heavy build, unshaven, wearing a gray and black wool hat entered the vehicle and began to drive the car away. The suspect upon realizing that there was a passenger in the vehicle, brandished a 12-inch long kitchen knife from within his jacket, reached over with it and held it up the victim's neck.
The victim was able to calm herself as well as the suspect while holding on to the suspect’s hand and the knife at the same time. The suspect continued to drive in an attempt to exit the lot but needed to turn the vehicle around after encountering some construction within the lot. During the suspects attempt to turn the vehicle around, the victim was able to remove the knife from his hand and jump out of the vehicle and flee back towards the building. The suspect then fled east through the parking lot and then north on Chub Avenue.
The victim suffered a minor cut to her left palm and was treated by the Lyndhurst Police Emergency Squad. Further medical attention was declined.
The vehicle was recovered later that morning just before noon just off of the roadway in the area of Chub Avenue and Wall Street West.
The Bergen County Sheriff's Department B.C.I. Unit responded on Nov. 28 to process the vehicle as well as the knife for fingerprints. Arrangements are being made for a composite drawing of the suspect to be made. It will be forwarded as soon as it is made available.
This investigation is ongoing and further information will be forwarded as it becomes available.
Anyone who may have been a witness or could provided information relative to this case are asked to call the Lyndhurst Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 201-939-2900 x273 or x708.