Newark, NJ man arrested for committing a carjacking in Montclair, NJ

A Newark man has been charged for his role in a carjacking in Montclair on December 6, 2021, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Monday.

Andy Cook, 23, appeared in court on Monday as well on the charges by complaint of one count of conspiracy to commit carjacking, one count of carjacking, and one count of conspiracy to use a firearm during a crime of violence.

On the day of the carjacking, Cook is the one who got into the stolen car and drove away in it.

His accomplice approached the woman driving the soon to be stolen vehicle, in her driveway.

The accomplice, not named in the Monday statement, allegedly pointed a gun at the woman and demanded tht she get out of the car and leave her belongings behind.

When Cook and his accomplice drove away, the victim called police.

Law enforcement lated spotted the vehicle abandoned by Cook in Newark, where he fled on foot.

He was eventually arrested.

Attorney Sellinger said that the count of conspiracy to commit carjacking carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and the count of carjacking carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Attorney Sellinger said tha the count of conspiracy to use a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dong Joo Lee of the Violent Crimes Unit.