Police arrested a man who allegedly carjacked an elderly woman on Easter Sunday.
Police say the man carjacked the 80-year-old outside the Metro Diner at Crescent Boulevard (Route 130) and Browning Lane in Brooklawn.
Catherine Hodge had just wrapped up breakfast with her family around 11 a.m. when a man in his 20s, fleeing after being confronted about shoplifting at the Rite Aid next door, pulled her from her vehicle. Hodge says the man opened the door as she placed the key in the ignition.
"I hadn't turned it on," she said. "If I turned it on, the doors would have been locked."
Police say the man pushed Hodge out of her 2008 four-door Honda Accord, got inside and then drove off.
"I said, 'leave me alone, stop it,' and he grabbed me and pushed me out," said Hodge. "I ran around saying, 'help me, please somebody help me.' I was yanked from behind the wheel. I thank God he didn't have a gun or a knife."
Hodge's purse, with cash and credit cards, was in the vehicle, police said.
Hodge was shaken up but refused medical treatment at the scene. Her family later took her to the hospital where she was treated for a swollen foot, cuts and bruises.
Her car was found in a nearby town, police said.
Police say an investigation led them to 28-year-old Nicholas Silvestro of Glouceser City. Investigators say fingerprints obtained from the Rite Aid led them to Silvestro. He was arrested and charged with carjacking, theft, aggravated assault, robbery and shoplifting.
Hodge says the experience has made her more cautious.
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"From now on I'm going to get in my car right away and lock the doors," she said.
Silvestro is currently being held on $250,000 bail.
