Carjacker captured by good Samaritans, Walmart security after he attacked 83-year-old woman
Freehold Township NJ July 16 2019
Good Samaritans and Walmart security captured an accused carjacker and held him until police arrived Monday after the man knocked down an 83-year-old woman, took her car and crashed into a tree as he tried to escape a Freehold Township shopping center, police said.
Maxim Kuropatkin, 24, of Springfield, Massachusetts, faces multiple charges including carjacking, robbery and weapons offenses and is being held at the Monmouth County jail.
Kuropatkin initially tried to rob a 52-year-old Freehold Township woman in the parking lot of the Sam’s Club in the Freehold Marketplace, but she scared him off by jumping in her car and honking the horn, police said. The blaring horn drew the attention of other customers in the parking lot, police said.
Kuropatkin then approached an 83-year-old Freehold Township woman who was getting out of her car, demanded her keys and knocked her to the ground, police said. He tried to flee in her vehicle, but lost control and hit a tree, police said. He then fled on foot toward the nearby Walmart.
Good Samaritans who saw the commotion and crash followed Kuropatkin into the Walmart, where store security and the Samaritans were able to detain Kuropatkin until police officers arrived. He was arrested without incident, authorities said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Officer Kevin Cross 732-462-7908 ext. 6263 or Det. William Ketelaar of the Freehold Township police at 732-294-2110.
nj.com
