Former mayor recalls fighting back against carjacker

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- A former South Florida mayor is speaking out after he became the target of an armed would-be carjacker, and he wouldn't back down.

"I very irresponsibly said to this young man, 'Go bleep yourself and get off my property,'" said former North Miami Beach Mayor Jeffrey Mishcon.

Despite Mishcon standing his ground, the gunman told him, "I'm going to kill you."

The 71-year-old was held at gunpoint by a suspected carjacker on Wednesday. In the end, however, the bad guy took off without his BMW, but Mishcon admitted, it was not his smartest move.

Law enforcement says it over and over again: never fight back. Mishcon, who spent 16 years of his life as the mayor of North Miami Beach, understands that. However, in the heat of the moment, he admits, he was not thinking straight.

"He was holding the gun like this, just like that, aiming down," he recalled, imitating the would-be crook's actions. "God must have been watching over me, because what I did was very foolish ... There are no material things that can't be replaced, but your life, that can't be replaced."

This attempted carjacking happened in broad daylight, in a very busy area of North Miami Beach, off Northeast 22nd Avenue. He said the gunman simply fled after he cursed at him. "I hope I learnt a lesson myself," admitted Mishcon. "God forbid if this was ever to happen again, I hope I'm a lot smarter and just hand the man the keys and say, 'Good riddance with the car.'"

If you have any information on this attempted carjacking, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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