Manual transmission stymied N.J. carjacker

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NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A New Jersey man who carjacked a Porsche only to realize he couldn't make his getaway because it had a stick shift has pleaded guilty.

Anthony Reynolds, 18, of Newark pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Monday to theft of a motor vehicle by force, violence and intimidation, the U.S. attorney's office said in a release. He faces a maximum 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced Jan. 22, the prosecutors said.

Reynolds carjacked the owner of a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo at gunpoint on March 14. While the car's owner ran and flagged down a nearby Newark police officer, Reynolds, realizing he couldn't get the car into gear, fled on foot and was apprehended shortly thereafter.

Had he been able to drive it, Reynolds likely would have had better luck evading police; the Porsche 911 goes from zero to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds -- provided, of course, you can drive a stick.