Crime & Safety
Newark Man Gets 25 Years for West Orange Carjacking
Victim, trapped beneath car, was dragged into oncoming traffic
A 42-year-old Newark man was sentenced Tuesday to a quarter-century in prison for a carjacking at a West Orange gas station two years ago, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.
On June 24, 2011, Clarence Williams jumped into an Infiniti while the owner was putting air in a tire at an Exxon station. When Williams drove off, the victim’s leg became trapped under the car. He was dragged 45 yards before he freed himself, narrowly avoiding being struck by oncoming traffic.
The car was found five days later in Newark. Prosecutors were able to tie Williams to the crime using DNA recovered from a cigarette and a soda bottle that had been left in the car.
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Williams, who was convicted by a jury in September, must serve at least 21-and-a-half years before earning parole eligibility. Prosecutors the sentence was especially warranted because of Williams’ extensive criminal record, which includes 21 arrests and five convictions.
“Given this defendant’s extensive criminal history, we sought the maximum of 30 years in prison but we are satisfied that a violent offender will be off the streets for the next two decades,’’ said Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Jamel Semper.Find out what's happening in Newarkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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