Secaucus Police have announced the arrest of two men in connection with an armed carjacking and robbery.
On Wednesday, July 20, at 10:49 a.m., a 66-year-old woman reported to Secaucus Police that she was robbed and carjacked at knifepoint by two males in the Walmart parking lot at 400 Park Plaza Drive.
The victim was uninjured, 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 19. 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 Xavier Cenpin and Caliente Gaillard, both 19-year-olds from Newark. Cenpin was 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 operator of the vehicle fled and remains at large.
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,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “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. 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.”
Cenpin and Gaillard are both charged with Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Carjacking and Armed Robbery and Receiving Stolen Property. Cenpin was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
Gaillard was also wanted by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Burglary. Both were lodged in the Hudson County Jail. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
