Man arrested after 80-year-old carjacked, hit by vehicle outside New Lenox hospital

NEW LENOX, Ill. (WLS) -- The man wanted for allegedly carjacking and injuring an 80-year-old man outside a south suburban hospital Thursday night has been arrested, New Lenox police said.

Kyle Sears was located and taken into custody Friday in Verona, Illinois.

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An arrest warrant was issued after an 80-year-old man was hit by his own car during a carjacking outside Silver Cross Hospital Thursday night, New Lenox police said.

The incident occurred at about 6:10 p.m., as the victim was being assisted into the passenger seat of his minivan, police said.

The suspect, identified by police as 35-year-old Sears, entered on the driver's side and began driving away, police said.

The victim was partially seated when police said Sears was driving away. They said Sears pushed the victim out of the minivan, causing the victim to be struck by the minivan.

The minivan was later found in Joliet. Police said the victim is being treated for lower body injuries.

A warrant for Sears was issued for charges of aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated hijacking, vehicular invasion, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated battery. Police said Sears' last known address is Shorewood, but he is believed to be homeless.

New Lenox police were following up on leads on Sears' whereabouts, and were in communication with the Grundy County Sheriff's Office Friday, when he was located.

He was arrested without incident, police said.

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He'll be taken to the New Lenox Police Department and eventually Will County Jail.

Silver Cross Hospital released a statement on the incident, saying, "You may have noticed police activity outside our hospital's Discharge Lounge earlier this evening. At about 6 p.m., as a patient was being discharged, an unarmed man illegally took possession of the vehicle and pushed the patient out. The patient is being treated in the Emergency Department for non-life-threatening injuries.

"We're grateful to New Lenox Police who have been on site investigating. Based on the information that we have at this point, we believe there are no additional safety concerns related to this incident.

"Our Security Team responded to the incident immediately, secured the area, notified local law enforcement and continues to provide security support for our campus."

The family of the 80-year-old man said in a statement, "We are extremely thankful to the New Lenox police department and the detectives that have been so attentive in locating and bringing this suspect to justice. Our uncle, in no way deserved this, especially in front of a hospital.

"Andy has been able to communicate with us and shared that the guy did not care about who he was going to hurt. It could have been a newborn baby with a mother leaving the hospital. Now, our attention is on Andy and the long journey to get him back on his feet."

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Lenox police at 815-485-2500.