Police are looking for an armed suspect who tried to carjack a woman in broad daylight Sunday at a busy Bloomington-Normal shopping center.
The attempted carjacking happened around 4 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot nearest the Jewel and TJMaxx on Veterans Parkway near College Avenue, police said. A woman told police she was approached by a man with a gun who demanded her vehicle. A witness intervened and helped the victim escape, and the suspect fled the area northbound on foot, police said. No one was injured.
“It’s definitely not something that is reported very often, and for that time of day, with the amount of witnesses and that area being extremely busy, yes, (it’s) definitely out of the ordinary,” said Bloomington Police spokesperson Elias Mendiola.
The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 50-60 years old, short gray hair, 5-foot-10, with a thin build.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bloomington Detective Moreland at (309) 434-2359 or smoreland@cityblm.org.
If you wish to remain anonymous, please call McLean County Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111.
WGLT depends on financial support from users to bring you stories and interviews like this one. As someone who values experienced, knowledgeable, and award-winning journalists covering meaningful stories in central Illinois, please consider making a contribution.
