Silver Cross Carjacking Suspect In Custody: New Lenox PD

NEW LENOX, IL — A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with a carjacking outside Silver Cross Hospital Wednesday evening is in police custody, authorities said Friday.

Kyle Sears, 35, was found Friday in Verona, Illinois, New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini told Patch early Friday afternoon.

Sears is charged in an incident that took place outside Silver Cross Hospital when an 80-year-old patient discharged from the hospital was struck by his own car as it was being stolen, police said.

Originally reported as a stolen vehicle, New Lenox Police Chief Louis Alessandrini said the aggravated vehicular hijacking took place just after 6 p.m. A nurse and the patient’s friend were assisting him into the passenger side of the vehicle, when a male suspect jumped into the patient's vehicle and began to drive away with the victim only partially seated inside, police said.

While driving away, the suspect pushed the victim from the vehicle, which then struck the man. The victim was then treated in the emergency room for injuries after being struck by his vehicle during the theft, Alessandrini said.

Police said the man has been transferred to Loyola and being treated for leg and hip injuries.

Police quickly identified Sears and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Charges will include aggravated hijacking, vehicular hijacking, vehicular invasion, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and aggravated battery.

Sears was processed and transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.