The world’s most inept carjacker faces federal charges after attempting to steal a DEA agent’s Jeep, according to authorities.
The federal agent had just concluded his duty in Manhattan and was stopped at a red light between 14th Street and Ninth Avenue around midnight on December 9 when Zachary Bell approached his government-issued vehicle, according to the authorities.
Bell, 32, yelled at the agent, “Get the f— out of the car!” according to a criminal complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court.
Prosecutors assert that Bell, of Maplewood, New Jersey, then groped toward his belt as if he had a pistol.
The agent, a seven-year member of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, immediately took action.
In Manhattan, Zachary Bell is accused of attempting to carjack a Drug Enforcement Administration agent.
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According to court documents, he activated the car’s police lights, drew his own revolver, struck Bell in the face, tackled him to the ground, and handcuffed him. He then dialed 911.
The agent, who occasionally performs undercover work, was not identified publicly. According to DEA protocol, agents are on duty even when traveling to and from work.
Bell was charged with attempted carjacking and assaulting a federal officer when responding police officers discovered a gravity knife on his person, according to authorities.
After the incident, Bell, who works at Hudson Yards and has never been convicted of a felony, was transported to the hospital. His attorney, Ariel Werner, stated that he has “serious” facial injuries that require surgery during a bail hearing last week.
Werner informed the judge that the prosecutor had detailed to her security footage of the incident in which Bell approached the driver-side door of the Jeep and waved his arms before walking after the vehicle.
She stated, “I believe we will discover that this was a misunderstanding with quite serious repercussions.”
“Based on what I know thus far, I do not believe the complaint accurately describes what transpired,” said Werner, who declined to elaborate.
According to court documents, Bell was freed Tuesday on a $30,000 bond and is prohibited from consuming alcohol as a condition of his release. As additional conditions of his parole, he will be subjected to a drug test and will be prohibited from leaving New York or New Jersey.