OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Police are three days into a search for a man accused of stealing a woman’s car at gunpoint outside Oak Park Mall, and tracking him down is proving to be tricky.
The good news is that the 28-year-old owner of the stolen car is alive and well. However, Overland Park Police spokesperson Gary Mason says it will be tough to find the man who, according to police, walked up to a woman outside JCPenney last Friday night and demanded her car keys while brandishing a gun.
Police say a carjacking can happen to anyone, especially during the busy season at shopping centers. Mall spokesperson Sean Phillips issued a statement Monday saying customer security is a top concern for staff members at the mall.
On Monday FOX 4 spoke with Janell Bartlett who operates the United Studio of Self-Defense in Prairie Village. She advises that if you’re attacked by someone demanding only your car keys, let them have the keys.
“Keys? Ideally, throw them so they have to go for them and then, you can go away to safety, but don’t put up a fight. Just give them what they want unless they try to harm your body or someone you love and care about,” she said.
And if the attacker demands more than property, Bartlett recommends doing whatever is necessary to escape an attacker. Police are still searching for that silver Ford Focus with Missouri license tag number: HJU-B1L.