The Alternative Press

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – At 11:50 am on Saturday March 2, the Scotch Plains Police Department received a 911 call reporting a carjacking at Route 22 and Harding Road.

When two police officers arrived on the scene they found two male victims age 50 and 18, a father and son.  Investigation revealed that the suspect, who was known to them both, had entered the family vehicle and had forced them to get out.  The suspect then put the vehicle in reverse, striking both victims and dragging the 50 year old several feet before fleeing the scene.

The man who was dragged was taken to Overlook Hospital and was treated for minor injuries and was later released.

The suspect has been identified as Julio Maldonado age 21 of Front Street, Scotch Plains by members of the Scotch Plains Detective Bureau and after being located in Old Bridge, NJ, was placed under arrest.

Maldonado was charged with 1st degree Carjacking, 2nd degree Aggravated Assault, 3rd degree Aggravated Assault and 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property and has been transported to Union Country Jail in lieu of the $75,000 bail set by the Municipal Court. He will appear in Union Country Superior Court in Elizabeth at 9 am on Tuesday.