BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A 72-year-old woman using a walker was run over by her own car after four young men snatched the vehicle from a Brooklyn Lowe’s parking lot, sending her and another woman flying as the thieves sped away. The brazen broad-daylight heist has sparked a citywide manhunt for the suspects, described as teenagers or young adults between 18 and 20 years old.
The incident unfolded around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday outside the Mill Basin Lowe’s, a busy home improvement store in southeastern Brooklyn. Two women – the 72-year-old and a 48-year-old – were loading their Toyota Corolla when a group of four young men approached. Without warning, one of them jumped into the driver’s seat and floored the accelerator.
“They didn’t care who was in the way,” a witness told local media. “The older lady was sitting in her walker, and they just ran her over.”
According to the NYPD, the stolen car struck the 72-year-old, who was seated in her walker, and knocked the 48-year-old to the ground. Both women suffered minor injuries but refused medical attention at the scene. The suspects then sped off in the stolen Toyota, while a fourth accomplice fled in a black Nissan.
Police have released surveillance images of three of the suspects and are asking for the public’s help identifying them.
The Crime: A Surge in Car Thefts and Elderly Victims
The Mill Basin carjacking is part of a troubling trend in New York City. According to NYPD data, car thefts have surged citywide over the past two years, with young offenders increasingly brazen in their tactics.
| NYC Auto Theft Statistics | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 (YTD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand larceny auto | 14,832 | 16,204 | 4,872 (as of April) |
| Percent change (YoY) | +8.2% | +9.3% | +12.1% |
Brooklyn’s 63rd Precinct, which covers Mill Basin, has seen a 15% increase in car thefts in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year. The precinct is also grappling with a rise in robberies and grand larcenies.
Elderly New Yorkers are disproportionately affected by violent car thefts. According to a 2025 report by the NYC Department for the Aging, residents over 65 are three times more likely to be injured in a carjacking or parking lot robbery than younger adults, due to slower reaction times and physical frailty.
“When a car is stolen while an elderly person is still loading groceries or getting in or out, the risk of serious injury is extremely high,” said Dr. Emily Chen, a geriatric trauma specialist at NYU Langone Health. “A walker offers no protection against a multi-ton vehicle accelerating at full speed.”
The Suspects: Young, Brazen, and Still at Large
Police have described the four suspects as:
- Age: 18–20 years old
- Gender: Male
- Vehicle 1: Stolen silver or gray Toyota Corolla
- Vehicle 2: Black Nissan (unknown model)
Three of the suspects were captured on Lowe’s surveillance footage. Images have been distributed to media and are posted on the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers website. No arrests have been made.
“These individuals are dangerous and clearly have no regard for human life,” an NYPD spokesperson said. “We are urging anyone with information to come forward.”
The 72-year-old victim has not been publicly identified. She and the 48-year-old woman, believed to be a relative or caregiver, refused hospitalization. However, advocates worry about delayed injuries.
“Adrenaline can mask pain,” Chen said. “We recommend that anyone over 60 who has been struck by a vehicle seek a full medical evaluation, even if they feel fine at the scene.”
Lowe’s Parking Lot Safety: A Pattern of Crime?
The Mill Basin Lowe’s is located at 9030 Avenue L, a busy commercial strip with several big-box stores. While Lowe’s has not commented on this specific incident, the company has faced criticism in the past for insufficient parking lot security. According to a 2024 analysis by SafeParking.org, big-box home improvement stores rank among the top five locations for parking lot car thefts, behind only grocery stores and shopping malls.
Lowe’s corporate security protocols include:
- Regular patrols by third-party security guards
- Surveillance cameras (which captured the suspects)
- Bright lighting in parking areas
However, experts say these measures are often insufficient to deter determined thieves, especially when they operate in groups.
“Retailers have a responsibility to ensure their parking lots are safe, but they can’t prevent every crime,” said Mark Klein, a retail security consultant. “This was a violent, impulsive act. The suspects saw an opportunity and took it.”
Public Reaction and the Manhunt
The story has generated outrage on social media, with many calling for harsher penalties for car thieves and better protection for elderly residents.
“My grandmother uses a walker. The thought of someone running her over to steal a car makes me sick,” one Twitter user wrote.
“Where were the police? This happened at 4:20 in the afternoon in a crowded parking lot,” another commented.
The NYPD has stepped up patrols in the area and is reviewing additional surveillance footage from nearby businesses. The stolen Toyota Corolla has not yet been recovered.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or via X (formerly Twitter) at @NYPDTips. All calls are confidential.
What Happens Next
- Investigation: Detectives are tracking leads on the black Nissan and the stolen Toyota. They are also reviewing cell phone tower data from the area.
- Possible charges: The suspects, if caught, could face first-degree robbery, grand larceny auto, reckless endangerment, and assault – all felonies. Because the victims were elderly, the charges could be enhanced.
- Victim support: The 72-year-old and her companion are being offered counseling through the NYPD’s Victim Services Unit.
FAQ: Brooklyn Lowe’s Carjacking
Q: When did the carjacking happen?
A: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 4:20 p.m.
Q: Where did it occur?
A: The Lowe’s parking lot at 9030 Avenue L in Mill Basin, Brooklyn.
Q: What happened?
A: Four young men stole a Toyota Corolla while two women were loading it. The thieves struck a 72-year-old woman using a walker and knocked another woman to the ground.
Q: Were the victims seriously injured?
A: Both suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene.
Q: Have the suspects been caught?
A: No. Police have released surveillance images and are asking for the public’s help.
Q: How can I report a tip?
A: Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit a tip online.
