Robert McClain, 47, was apprehended at Avalon Apartments in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE -- Police arrested a Trenton man late Tuesday on charges alleging he's the carjacker who who ripped a 78-year-old woman from her car in the Lawrence Shopping Center Monday afternoon.
Officers arrested Robert McClain, 47, at the Avalon Apartments in Lawrence shortly before 9 p.m., police Lt. Joseph Amodio said. McClain's
Sgt. James Smith spotted the victim's 2013 Kia vehicle in the apartment's parking lot hours earlier and police set up surveillance, Amodio said.
McClain eventually walked toward the car and was preparing to enter it when Smith and officers Ryan Dunn and Detective Sgt. Joseph Lech apprehended him, Amodio said.
McClain had the victim's car keys and was carrying a white plastic bag containing the victim's handbag, Amodio said.
He is charged with carjacking, receiving stolen property and theft. Bail had yet to be set Tuesday evening.
Police issue photos of man they say carjacked 78-year-old woman
Earlier Tuesday, police released surveillance pictures of the man they suspected of carjacking the victim in front of Acme.
The victim suffered minor injures in the 3:30 p.m. attack Monday.
She told police she had just finished loading groceries into her car and was in the drivers seat when the man approached.
The man leaned in and demanded her keys and when the victim refused, the man grabbed her wrists and threw her from the vehicle, police have said.
The carjacker was last seen driving away from the Brunswick Pike shopping center in the victim's car.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.