Would-be carjackers in Englishtown foiled by flat tire
Three suspects are facing a slew of charges after allegedly carjacking a sedan in front of a Walgreens Wednesday morning but aborting the crime after realizing the car had a flat tire, police said.
The carjacking happened about 9 a.m. at the pharmacy at 2 Gordons Corner road. A Manalapan woman in a 2015 Mazda 3 was in the parking lot there, waiting for help from AAA, police said.
Three assailants forced her door open. The victim fled and called 911. The woman was not injured and no weapon was shown, police said.
The suspects drove east on Gordons Corner Road toward Route 9, police said.
They didn't get far. They abandoned the Mazda in the parking lot of Congregation Sons of Israel synagogue at 33 Gordons Corner Road, about a third of a mile away from the Walgreens.
Manalapan patrol officers quickly located three men believed to be the suspects, Englishtown police said.
Hazma Williams,19, Rayj Durant, 20 and Tyler Lares, 18, whose addresses are all listed in Brooklyn, were each charged with carjacking, theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime and theft of property.
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Williams was additionally charged with hindering apprehension.
The worst of the charges, carjacking and conspiracy, can each bring up to 20 years in prison with a conviction.
Englishtown police said each of the three suspects admitted to the crime. There was no information available on lawyers for the defendants.
All remain at Monmouth County Jail.
Englishtown police said the suspects are being investigated for other possible crimes prior to the carjacking. They are urging anyone with information on any crimes in the borough to call 732-446-7000 or any crimes in Manalapan to call 732-446-4300.
Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at kserrano@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Englishtown NJ carjacking attempt stopped by flat tire
