Authorities say a would-be carjacker put a yellow beach bag over his head to try to conceal his identity on Monday in Pompano Beach.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. Monday as a 75-year-old man was leaving the American Legion Hall at 171 SW Second St. in Pompano Beach.
According to authorities, the victim got into his 2014 Lincoln MKT and drove off — not knowing that 35-year-old Michael David Maxwell, was hiding in the SUV’s back seat.
Officials with the Broward Sheriff's Office said Maxwell popped up as the victim was driving and grabbed the driver’s neck from behind with both hands.
Maxwell told the startled man to, “Keep driving if you don’t want to get hurt.”
But in an attempt to get help, the driver sped up, swerved into the Valero gas station at 1495 South Cypress Road where he lost control of the SUV, jumped a curb and hit a car that was at one of the fuel islands, according to an arrest report in the case.
The impact of the crash caused Maxwell to release his grip on the driver’s neck, investigators said. The driver left the SUV and fled to safety.
Maxwell got behind the wheel and tried to drive off but couldn’t because of the damage that happened in the crash.
Maxwell “retrieved a yellow beach bag that belonged to the victim and placed it over his head to conceal his identity,” the arrest report said.
Maxwell walked away but deputies were called and were able to track him with a K9 after setting up a perimeter.
He was found and taken into custody in the backyard of a home on Southeast 14th Street.
Maxwell faces charges includeingcarjacking, burglary, aggravated battery on a person over 65, and false imprisonment, according to jail records.