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Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson announced that Zachary Verrastro, 36, of Asbury, New Jersey, was arrested today for carjacking.On March 9, 2026, the victim parked his Jeep Gladiator next to the United States Post Office on Capner Street in Flemington Borough, exited the vehicle, and left it running with the keys inside while he conducted business inside the post office.
The victim later observed Verrastro driving away in his vehicle and chased him, during which a confrontation ensued and the victim suffered injuries from being dragged by the vehicle and struck by Verrastro’s fists as he continued to flee in the vehicle. Verrastro also damaged two vehicles as he fled — an occupied, moving vehicle and a parked vehicle.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Dean Cerdeira intervened and detained Verrastro in front of the Hunterdon County Justice Center. The Flemington Borough Police Department subsequently charged Verrastro with first-degree carjacking, N.J.S.A. 15-2a(1), fourth-degree assault by auto, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1c(1), second-degree aggravated assault, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(1), two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3a(1), and disorderly persons criminal mischief, N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3a(1). Verrastro is being held at the Warren County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing court on March 10, 2026.
First-degree charges may result in criminal penalties including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between ten and twenty years and a fine not to exceed $200,000. Second-degree charges may result in criminal penalties including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment between five and ten years and a fine not to exceed $150,000. Third-degree charges may result in criminal penalties including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine not to exceed $15,000. Disorderly persons offenses may result in criminal penalties including, but not limited to, a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months and a fine not to exceed $1,000. A criminal charge does not constitute evidence of guilt.
Every person is entitled to a presumption of innocence until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.Media inquiries should be directed to: Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Sam Iraca at (908) 788-1299 or siraca@co.hunterdon.nj.us
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