Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Did anyone hear about this?? Mom & grandmother were loading stuff into their car - and a guy car jacked their car. They found the car & the toddler a few blocks away.


eta. Link

Message edited 6/9/2006 11:14:23 PM.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

just saw it on the news!!

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Ya I just read it before. Crazy crap!!

I'll be there tomorrow AM....Im sure there will be a cop car or two

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I witnessed a car jacking in the Kohl's parking lot in Ronkonkoma a couple of years ago and then man took off with the woman's 2 kids in the car. I will NEVER ever forget that woman's screams NEVER. She held onto the car and he dragged her for so long. She was all cut up. I gave her my cellphone to call her husband and I called the police. I swear that day still haunts me more than the day I was mugged. I am getting teary eyed right now remembering that mother's screams.

Thankfully the kids started hitting and biting the man and he dumped them not to far away. They came running through the parking lot and it was such an emotional reunion- geez now I am crying!

They caught the guy right by the Smithhaven mall trying to steal another car.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Posted by Jamie

I witnessed a car jacking in the Kohl's parking lot in Ronkonkoma a couple of years ago and then man took off with the woman's 2 kids in the car. I will NEVER ever forget that woman's screams NEVER. She held onto the car and he dragged her for so long. She was all cut up. I gave her my cellphone to call her husband and I called the police. I swear that day still haunts me more than the day I was mugged. I am getting teary eyed right now remembering that mother's screams.

Thankfully the kids started hitting and biting the man and he dumped them not to far away. They came running through the parking lot and it was such an emotional reunion- geez now I am crying!

They caught the guy right by the Smithhaven mall trying to steal another car.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

HEre was the newsday story on it- i found it on my old post Staff Writer

June 12, 2003, 2:56 PM EDT


A South Setauket man was determined to get a free ride yesterday evening, Suffolk police said, but a 65-year-old man who wouldn't give up his keys and a seven-year-old boy who grabbed his hair helped to put the brakes on his attempts to carjack two separate vehicles within minutes of each other.

According to police, David Thompson, 23, first approached Richard Gambardella, 65, in the Ronkonkoma Kohl's parking lot. He tried taking the keys as Gambardella was getting into his 1996 Chrysler. But despite being punched in the head and thrown to the ground, Gambardella was able to get into his car.

As he was driving away, police said Thompson hit a 1994 Ford driven by Diane McKasty, 36, who had her nine and seven-year-old sons with her. McKasty got out to survey the damage, leaving the children inside, and Thompson jumped into the Ford. McKasty grabbed the steering wheel and Thompson started to drive off, dragging her alongside until she let go.

Police said the seven-year-old boy then grabbed Thompson by the hair. The alleged carjacker then threw both children out of the vehicle, but only after he broke the younger boy's finger by slamming a car door on it.

Thompson then drove to a Centereach Modell's, police said, where he stole a pair of Adidas sneakers and an Alan Iverson jersey basketball jersey. A store clerk called 911 and Thompson was arrested at Smithaven Mall after McKasty's car was spotted in the parking lot.

Thompson was charged with robbery, assault, and unlawful imprisonment for the McKasty incident. He was also charged with attempted robbery and assault for the Gambardella incident.

Gambardella was treated at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital for abrasions to his left arm and right elbow and later released. McKasty was treated at Mather Hospital for injuries to her right elbow and knee. Her seven-year-old was treated for a broken ring finger. Both were released.
Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Here is the story about the boy
The Ride of His Life
Boy, 7, and man, 65, give carjack suspect more than he can handle

By Zachary R. Dowdy
STAFF WRITER

June 13, 2003


At age 65, Richard Gambardella, of Lake Ronkonkoma, may seem like easy prey for a muscle-bound, 20-something carjacker. And at age 7, Peter McKasty looks even more vulnerable.

But, Suffolk detectives said, each of them held their own against David Thompson, 23, of South Setauket Wednesday. He stands 6-feet tall and weighs more than 200 pounds.

First, Thompson tried to steal Gambardella's 1996 Chrysler in a Ronkonkoma parking lot and then - after Gambardella fought him off and drove away - Thompson went after a hatchback with Peter and his sister still inside, police said.

Thompson himself was then allegedly attacked. The boy went to work on Thompson's long mane of hair, yanking it and screaming in his ear until he let Peter and his 9-year-old sister Kristin get out, Peter said.

Police are calling it the case of the persistent carjacker. They have charged Thompson with a string of felonies and misdemeanors: second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, second-degree attempted robbery and third-degree assault.

Thompson was held without bail for a court appearance today.

The ordeal began when Gambardella was getting into his car at the Kohl's shopping center on Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma about 6:10 p.m., said Det. Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky, commander of the Fourth Squad.

Thompson allegedly tried to grab the car keys. He struggled with Gambardella, punching his head and injuring his arm. But somehow, as the pair wrestled on the ground, Gambardella managed to kick Thompson in the mouth, police said.

That gave Gambardella enough time to get into the car and drive off, even as Thompson continued to bang on the window, but Gambardella nicked Diane McKasty's car as he drove off, police said.

Upset that she had become a victim of a hit-and-run accident, but oblivious to the attempted car-jacking, McKasty, of Ronkonkoma, got out to examine the damage.

"I got out and said 'Why is this man leaving? He just hit me,'" McKasty said.

That's when Thompson hopped into her car, and slammed the door on Peter's finger, fracturing it, police and McKasty said.

He sped off as McKasty tried to grab the steering wheel and screamed that her children were in the car. She ran alongside the car but fell down and was dragged for several feet as Thompson gunned it, Pelkofsky said. She got some cuts and bruises in the fall and could do nothing but scream as she watched her car bolt away with Peter and Kristin.

But despite his determination, police said, Thompson fared no better with the youngster: The tyke was a headache - literally - from the moment Thompson slammed the car door on Peter's finger.

Peter, who was in the rear seat on the driver's side, said he immediately began yanking on Thompson's locks and screaming in his ears until Thompson let the children out of the car in the parking lot.

Thompson then drove to a Modell's sporting goods store in Centereach 10 miles away, where he shoplifted a pair of sneakers and an Allen Iverson basketball jersey, police said. He was finally nabbed by Fourth Precinct Officer Daryl Quinones, who anticipated the thief's next move would be the Smith Haven Mall.

Quinones spotted the car near the Verizon store, called for back-up and helped arrest Thompson as he walked out of the mall, police said.

"He was combative and loud and argumentative," said Pelkofsky, describing Thompson's conduct.

Peter and Diane McKasty were treated for their injuries at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson and released. Gambardella was treated at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown and released.

Peter McKasty took a day off from school yesterday for his mother to nurse his finger.Gambardella could not be reached for comment, but Peter had choice words for his attacker.

"I was thinking he was an idiot," Peter said.
Copyright © 2003, Newsday, Inc.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

At age 23???

OMG!

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

This is so scary. We shop at Melville Costco all the time!

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I can't even imagine this ....

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I know- all of this just reminds us as parents- though it might be easier to put our child in the car and then unload and stuff it's not safe to do that. It's best to finish what you are doing- push the cart where it needs to go and bring the child back with you. That is a fear that I hope no one on this board EVER EVER EVER experiences.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

did she leave the car on with the child inside as she was pushing away the cart??

an empty car that is runnig with the doors unlocked is a huge target

and why the helll would she leave her child alone for a second

i dont care where you are, you keep your eye on your baby at all times

Message edited 6/10/2006 9:27:58 AM.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

in her defense though, it may have been silly but it was nice she didn't just slam her cart into the neghboring carts like everyone does at our costco.....(spoken from a woman who has dents in her car to prove it!! )

I feel for her and her baby....they didn't catch the guy yet ether!

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

they actually did a study - that most woman put there child in the car first and then load the car

that leaves you open for a guy jumping in the car and stealing it with you kids inside

you are suppose to load the car- and then put your child in

I don't have kids- but I can see how it is easier the first way-

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I heard it this morning on the news! people are SICK SICK SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope they catch this b*stard and throw the book at him

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

OMG I would die!!! Thank god they found the baby safe and sound.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I have the front page of Newsady on my fridge because my DH thinks it is no big deal to run into the store with the engine running with me and Damien in the car. He always gives me a face because I lock all the doors as soon as he gets out. I tell we could get carjacked He is always like I'll be one minute. That's all it takes.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

Posted by Stacey1403

I have the front page of Newsady on my fridge because my DH thinks it is no big deal to run into the store with the engine running with me and Damien in the car. He always gives me a face because I lock all the doors as soon as he gets out. I tell we could get carjacked He is always like I'll be one minute. That's all it takes.

Re: Toddler Car Jacking on 110

I read something about putting your kids in the car first because as you're loading the car, the cart can roll. I put my kids in first, load the car & THEN start the car.