Suspected car thief caught after victim’s fight, chase

By sue m. morgan
Staff Writer

Suspected car thief caught
after victim’s fight, chase
By sue m. morgan
Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE — A suspected car thief who police said attempted to carjack another vehicle from the parking lot of the Wal-Mart on Route 9, was arrested Saturday in South Amboy after being chased by one of his victims.

According to police, the suspect, Rayshawn Bridges, 26, of Lakewood was apprehended at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday on Feltus Street in South Amboy by Sayreville police.

Following a weapons search, Sayreville police charged Bridges with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. Bail was set at $100,000 and Bridges was expedited to Old Bridge for questioning in the carjacking.

Old Bridge police charged Bridges with attempted carjacking, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He remained in the Middlesex County Corrections Center, North Brunswick, on $200,000 bail Tuesday.

Sayreville police arrested Bridges after a motorist in the area reported seeing the suspect exit a four-door, 1990 Buick Electra he had been driving in the vicinity of Broadway and Second Street. That vehicle had been reported stolen out of Caldwell, Essex County, on an earlier date.

In a separate incident, police reports from Sayreville indicate that Bridges is suspected of attempting to steal another vehicle from the parking lot of the Wawa on Jernee Mill Road just prior to his arrest.

In the incident at the Wal-Mart, according to police, Bridges approached a 24-year-old Paterson man and his 16-year old brother while the two were loading packages into the back seat of their 2000 Mercedes E320. Bridges allegedly ordered the pair away from the vehicle and showed a handgun.

A struggle reportedly ensued, and Bridges allegedly used the butt of his gun to strike and wound the 24-year-old man on the left side of his face just below the temple. The victim reportedly got in the car and started driving, hitting the suspect with the open car door and knocking him down. The suspect allegedly fled on foot through the parking lot and got in the stolen Buick, with the victim pursuing him.

An unidentified black male sitting in the Buick’s driver’s seat allegedly attempted to hide Bridges inside the car, according to police. After a verbal exchange with the victim, the second man reportedly exited the Buick and left the scene on foot.

Police reports state that the victim discovered his assailant reclining in the vehicle’s front passenger seat and attempted to box in the Buick with his car and another vehicle.

The victim told police his assailant moved into the driver’s seat and began backing up toward the Mercedes. The victim moved his car to avoid a collision, according to police.

Witnesses told police they observed Bridges driving the Buick at a high rate of speed through the parking lot. After allegedly striking a parked pickup truck, the Buick exited onto Route 9 south with the Mercedes in pursuit, witnesses said.

The victim reported following his assailant onto Route 34 south where both vehicles turned around in the parking lot of the Outback Steakhouse. Both vehicles reportedly then headed north on Route 9 into Sayreville. The victim told police he lost sight of the Buick near Stevens Avenue and Second Street in South Amboy.

The victim was later located in South Amboy by Sayreville police, who transported him to Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy, for treatment of the wounds sustained in the earlier assault. Sayreville police notified Old Bridge headquarters of the victim’s whereabouts.

The victim’s Mercedes was expedited to Old Bridge to be processed.

The Buick had been reported stolen in Caldwell,and was allegedly used in an armed robbery in Lakewood, South Amboy police said.

Bridges had outstanding warrants from Springfield, Verona and Glen Ridge.

The alleged accomplice has not been located.

Staff writer Jennifer Dome contributed to this story.