Bungling carjacker busted after getting confused by gear stick then dropping key

21 March 2023 , 17:58

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Andrew Moran, 25, was charged with vehicular hijacking and aggravated battery of peace officers (Image: Cook County sheriff’s office)

A hopeful carjacker was caught after he failed to get away with the vehicle because he couldn't drive with a gear stick, police have said.

Andrew Moran, 25, was arrested after running away from the scene allegedly holding the victim's keys which had an AirTag attached.

The dad-of-three is accused of knocking on the victim's driver side door while she sat in the parking lot of a shopping centre in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Friday.

According to court records, he was holding his left hand in his pocket leading the woman to believe he had a gun.

He allegedly told the victim to get out because he "needed" to take her car and that someone would kill him if he didn't.

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The alleged carjacker was defeated by a gear stick (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Thinking the suspect was armed, she got out the car and called the police from a nearby shop.

As she called 911, Moran allegedly tried to drive off with her Audi A3 but didn't know how to drive with the gear stick. Prosecutor's claim he then gave up and tried to run away.

CCTV cameras picked up the carjacking attempt.

The suspect was tracked down after cops used the AirTag attached to the woman's keys and saw they were moving along the Chicago metro Blue Line.

Chicago police intercepted the suspect after tracking the victim's keys to a train (Getty Images)

Police intercepted the train at Addison station and the suspect was arrested.

Police said they found the victim's key fob on the train with a witness allegedly telling them Moran dropped it as the train pulled in.

During the arrest and at the police station Moran is accused of spitting in an officer’s face and kicking other officers.

Moran has been charged with vehicular hijacking and aggravated battery of peace officers.

Judge Charles Beach set bail at $15,000 for Moran to be released on electronic monitoring.

Moran's lawyer said he might be experiencing mental health issues after recent head surgery.

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Charlie Jones