CHICOPEE — A man was arrested late Monday night after attempting to carjack a vehicle and assaulting a bystander at a local gas station, Chicopee Police Department reported.
Police officers were dispatched to the Gulf Station at 1031 Chicopee St. at approximately 11:37 p.m. on reports of an attempted carjacking.
The suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Alexander Vega of Holyoke, was being restrained in the parking lot by the victim and another individual when officers arrived.
An initial investigation revealed that Vega had started an altercation with another customer inside the convenience store before taking items off the counter and exiting the store.
Outside, Vega tried to enter an occupied vehicle by climbing through the driver’s side window.
The screams of the vehicle’s occupants alerted the male party from inside the store, who then rushed out to help and attempted to pull Vega away from the car.
During the struggle, Vega brandished a knife, waving it and causing a laceration to the man who intervened.
Vega was subsequently taken into custody by the first responding officer.
Vega faces multiple charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, shoplifting by asportation, and causing a disturbance while carrying a dangerous weapon.
The Chicopee Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.
