A man, aged 27, experienced a terrifying carjacking in downtown Manhattan when three thieves, one brandishing a machete, compelled him to abandon his parked vehicle. The suspects then made off with the stolen car, police reported.
The incident occurred as the victim was seated in his Honda CR-V, parked outside the Manhattan Seventh-Day Adventist Church on W. 11th St. near Waverly Pl. in the West Village. Around 5 a.m. on November 19, two men entered the unlocked driver-side door and forced him out. To prevent any resistance, a third individual approached, brandishing a machete, authorities said.
After intimidating the car owner, the machete-wielding man and one accomplice jumped into the SUV and drove westward on W. 11th St., abandoning the third perpetrator who fled east on foot, according to police.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the ordeal.
Authorities have released images of the suspects in an effort to identify them and have appealed to the public for assistance. All three are described as males with light complexions.
The individual with the machete was last seen in a gray jacket, ripped blue jeans, and white sneakers. The suspect who escaped on foot was reportedly wearing dark-colored clothes paired with blue-and-white Nike sneakers.
Honda CR-Vs, particularly older models, are popular targets for car thieves.
Despite the brazen machete carjacking, the West Village’s 6th Precinct is among the city’s safest.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
