A man waving a large knife carjacked a woman in a Long Island parking lot before driving her to a bank miles away and stealing her money, police say.
The 85-year-old woman had just finished shopping at a Wal-Mart in Westbury on Sunday afternoon when the man approached her in the shopping center parking lot. Waving a large knife, the man pushed his way into the car and drove off with her in tow, according to police.
The man left the Wal-Mart on Old Country Road and drove 15 miles west to the woman’s Chase Bank in Elmont. The frightening drive lasted 40 minutes. At the bank, the man had the woman withdraw money from her account.
Police said the man then forced the woman back in her car and drove another 1 ½ miles before he jumped out and ran away.
Nassau Police Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun said the woman was able to then drive herself to the 5th Precinct in Elmont.
Shoppers were shocked to hear about the brazen midday carjacking.
“I can’t even imagine what was going through her head being driven to her bank and not knowing if he was going to hurt her,” Michelle Healy said. “It’s definitely scary.”
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Authorities released a sketch of the suspect on Monday. They said he’s tall, thin and in his 20s.
