The victim was approached about 4 a.m. by a man who threatened him and demanded his keys.
CLIFTON - A 25-year-old city man fended off a would-be carjacker over the weekend by punching him several times, according to police.
The victim was removing an item from the trunk of a family member's car about 4 a.m. Saturday on West Second Street when he was approached by the carjacker, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said.
The suspect threatened the victim and demanded the car keys, Bracken said.
"The victim responded by punching the lone suspect numerous times," Bracken said. "In response, the suspect fled the scene on foot."
The victim was not injured and nothing was stolen, police said.
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Police are investigating whether the attempted theft was related to a carjacking two days earlier at Fifth and Crooks avenues.
In that incident, a 47-year-old man from Edison was robbed about 3:15 a.m. after two men approached and one of them held a gun to his head.
The men drove off in the victim's 2016 BMW SUV, police said.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call Clifton police at 973-470-5911 or 973-470-5908.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.