Silver Cross Patient, 80, Run Over During Carjacking: New Lenox PD

NEW LENOX, IL — An 80-year-old patient discharged from Silver Cross Hospital was struck by his own car as it was being stolen Wednesday evening, New Lenox 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 hit the man, who police said is 80 years old. The victim had to be re-admitted to Silver Cross for injuries after being struck by his vehicle during the theft, Alessandrini said.

Police have identified the suspect as Kyle Sears, 35. Sears is homeless, with a last-known address in Shorewood, Alessandrini said. Charges will include aggravated hijacking, vehicular hijacking, vehicular invasion, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and aggravated battery. Sears is not yet in custody, Alessandrini said.

The vehicle was later recovered in Joliet.