PONTIAC, Mich. – An 88-year-old man was held at knife point and forced to drive from Pontiac to Detroit by a suspect who had made his way into the victim's vehicle.
The attack happened late Sunday night.
Pontiac police said the suspect broke into the victim's car, pointed a knife at him and demanded money. He then forced the victim to drive to Detroit.
"It's disgusting," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. "You've got a man that is almost 90 years old that, obviously, has given a lot to his country. He's involved in the political process, working with the Democratic campaign office. We want people like that, who care and give back to the community."
During the incident the victim suffered a cut on his hand when he swerved to try to get the attention of a marked patrol vehicle in Detroit.
The suspect then jumped out of the car near the intersection of 7 Mile and Woodward Avenue.
"When they were in Detroit, somewhere south of 8 Mile, the victim saw a police car, a Detroit police car, and tried to swerve toward the car to try to get the police officer's attention, but did not succeed," said Bouchard.
The suspect is described as a man about 40 years old wearing a Michigan jacket and stocking cap.
"It doesn't appear to be politically directed. It appears to be an opportunistic moment," said Bouchard. "He saw somebody coming out getting in a car, alone ... jumped in the car with this person and produced a knife."