"They told me, 'Get out, get out,'" said Johnnie Mae Ethridge. "I had my husband's gold chain on. He snatched that from around my neck."
She is still shaken and scared. Never in her 87 years has she been treated so terribly, such disrespect and disregard from two young men, who carjacked her at gunpoint at a stoplight Tuesday morning.
"The other fella was at the rear of the car and he had his gun. I had a problem trying to get the seat belt loose," Ethridge explained. "Pushed me out of the car, [threw] my cane out and just hopped in the car with my purse and all my I. D. and took off."
She was just blocks from home at Fullerton and Ewald Circle on her way to get her brakes fixed when they came at her.
James Barney, walking nearby, saw what happened and heard her scream.
"Two young kids that ran up to her car and with two guns and snatched her chain and told her to get out of her car, and I heard her screaming, so I started running," he said. "By the time I got there they took off, so I stayed with her, called the police for her."
A good Samaritan in a time of need. As for the carjackers, they didn't get far. At Oakman and Davison, the two gunmen abandoned the vehicle after jumping the curb, crashing and flattening a tire. They tried to steal a second car, but ended up running from the scene.
Ethridge's car was towed. She got her cane back, but her husband's gold chain, along with her purse, wallet and I. D. are gone.
"They just don't have [any] respect for [anybody]. It's terrible," said Ethridge.
She says the young men were in their late teens or early twenties. Now this 87-year-old widow, a retired nursing assistant who spent her life helping others, needs help from anyone with information on these young thugs. Call H.E.A.T. at 1-800-242-HEAT or visit www.1800242HEAT.com. There is a $2,000 reward for a tip leading to an arrest and prosecution in a carjacking.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:54:14 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:54:14 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:44 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:44:18 GMT
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Today at 2 p.m. 100 community leaders, union officials, concerned residents and Northwestern High School Alumni will protest the closure of the high school.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:19:38 GMT
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
Police say a 1-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in a water-filled bathtub in Flint. Police are treating the child's death Monday night as suspicious.
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