Kyle Sears was arrested in Verona, Illinois on a warrant for carjacking outside Silver Cross Hospital: New Lenox Police

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

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

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An arrest warrant has been 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 around 6:10 p.m., while the victim was being assisted into the passenger seat of his minivan, police said.

The suspect, identified by police as 35-year-old Sears, got into the driver’s side and began to drive away, police said.

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

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

A warrant was issued for Sears on charges of aggravated carjacking, aggravated carjacking, vehicle 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 leads on Sears’ location and had contacted the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office on Friday when he was found.

He was taken into custody without incident, police said.

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

Silver Cross Hospital issued a statement regarding the incident, saying: “We may have seen police activity outside our hospital’s Outpatient Lounge earlier this evening. Around 6pm, while a patient was being discharged, an unarmed male trespassed into the vehicle and pushed the patient out.

“We are grateful to the New Lenox Police who responded to the scene. Based on the information we have at this time, we believe there are no additional safety concerns related to this incident.

“Our security team immediately responded to the incident, secured the area, notified local law enforcement and continues to provide security support for our campus.”

The 80-year-old’s family said in a statement: “We are extremely grateful to the New Lenox Police Department and the detectives who were so diligent in locating and bringing this suspect to justice. Our uncle in no way deserves this, especially in front of a hospital.

“Andy was able to communicate with us and said the guy didn’t care who he was going to hurt. It could have been a newborn with a mother leaving the hospital. Now our focus 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.