A Newark duo was arrested for an armed carjacking of a Secaucus woman, 66, in the Walmart parking lot yesterday afternoon, Police Chief Dennis Miller said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Xavier Cenpin and Caliente Gaillard, both 19 and of Newark, are charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed carjacking, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property, Miller said in a statement
Cenpin was additionally charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Yesterday at about 10:49 a.m., a 66-year-old woman reported to Secaucus police that she was robbed and carjacked at knifepoint by two men in the Walmart parking lot, located at 400 Park Plaza Dr.
The victim was not injured, but the suspects stole cash and her 2016 BMW M23 convertible. Upon the arrival of police, the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit conducted an on-scene investigation.
The on-scene investigation determined that the suspects came to Secaucus in a 2022 Nissan Altima, which was later confirmed to have been carjacked from New York City on Tuesday, July 19th.
Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit Detectives developed information that the BMW M23 was in the area of Brenner Street in Newark and responded to the area.
Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit Detectives, with the assistance of members of the Newark Police Department, located the stolen 2022 Nissan Altima occupied by Cenpin and Gaillard.
Cenpin was also found in possession of the knife used in the crimes at the time of his arrest.
Also while in the area of Brenner Street, Newark police observed the victim’s 2016 BMW M23. The driver of that vehicle fled and remains at large at this time.
The Essex County Sheriff’s Office recovered the unoccupied 2016 BMW M23 a short time later within the confines of Newark. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may be made.
“When someone is the victim of a crime in Secaucus, I have authorized my Detectives to follow the case into any jurisdiction so that justice can be served. I am proud of the diligent efforts and determination of the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit and for making arrests in this case within hours of the crimes,” Miller added.
“I am thankful for the assistance from the Newark Police Department and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. I am hopeful our criminal justice system prevails and the defendants will be held accountable for victimizing an innocent woman at knifepoint.”
