Suspicious Roadblock Alarms, Baffles Driver On New Jersey Turnpike Extension
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New video released Wednesday uncovered a potential driving danger on a New Jersey roadway, in the form of a mysterious late-night roadblock.
As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, dashcam video showed what started as a typical drive home for Ivan Tukhtin just after midnight Monday morning.
He was on the New Jersey Turnpike Extension, near Route 78 through Jersey City, when he came across two cones blocking traffic and a suspicious-looking man not letting him pass by.
"What's going on?" Tukhtin asks the man as he approaches the car. "Can I help you with something?"
Tukhtin then weaves through the cones and take off.
"He walked over to the car - as a Good Samaritan you kind of give them the benefit of the doubt because you don't know what's going to happen – at which point I saw him reach into his pocket, at which point I knew something was going down, so I left," Tukhtin said.
Immediately, Tukhtin knew something wasn't right. He called police as he sped away.
Tukhtin questioned the man's motive, worried that it could have been part of a dangerous scheme.
"I could have been mugged," he said. "I mean, I don't want to think of the worst case scenario, but that's what came to my mind after I left and called the authorities."
Automotive Expert Lauren Fix said Tukhtin did the right thing. She said you should call police if you think someone needs help, but to keep driving and not stop.
"If you see someone in distress, whether they're on the side of the road or asking you for help, keep the windows up and the doors locked," Fix said.
Because of his quick thinking, Tukhtin considers himself very lucky.
"It's scary to think that's the world we live in today," he said.
The New Jersey State Police told CBS 2 two men were arrested for allegedly setting up the fake road block. The case remained under investigation late Wednesday.
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