The NJ Blog

A personal employee of Mayor Michael Bloomberg was beaten by thieves who then carjacked the billionaire's car yesterday morning in New Jersey, authorities said.

The employee was driving the 2001 Lexus in Hackensack on an errand for the mayor shortly be fore 9 a.m. when he was approached by a woman who came to the window to ask for money, police said. As he declined and began to roll up the window, a man got into the passenger seat and punched him in the face.

"They force him out and take off," said Hackensack police Capt. Frank Lomia.

The car was found about two hours later, abandoned on the side of the road in Fair Lawn. Police were looking for the two suspects.

Bloomberg's employee was not seriously injured and his name was not released. He is one of many staffers who take care of Bloomberg's personal business and his homes, including his townhouse in Manhattan and country house in upstate New York.