By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Last week a person was carjacked outside of the Millington Kroger.
According to the Millington Police Department, a search began last Thursday afternoon for several individuals after a carjacking at 8039 Highway 51 North. Police said a man approached the victim in the parking lot of the store, pulled out a gun, and demanded the keys to the victim’s silver 2016 Infiniti Q50.
Investigators and witnesses said the shopper was visibly shaken by the incident and told officers the carjacker may have arrived with three other individuals in a pickup truck in the parking lot.
Back in January, the trend of carjackings in the Memphis area was high with nearly 700 just over two weeks into the new year.
The Memphis Police Department reported 679 car thefts by January 17, with 16 of those carjackings were by force similar to the incident in Millington.
Another carjacking made area news when a grandmother and her 7-year-old granddaughter were victimized in Memphis.
Police said an 18-year-old, Tkai Gardner, carjacked the two victims Thursday at the Extended Stay America on Quail Hollow Road.
According to the affidavit, Gardner allegedly put a gun to the victim’s head, also pointing a gun at the child, demanding she get out of the car.
The report also said Gardner took off in the woman’s 2014 Honda CR-V.
SAFETY TIPS TO HELP PREVENT
A CARJACKING
*Walk with purpose and stay alert.
*Approach your car with the key in hand. Look around and inside the car before getting in.
*Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers.
*Trust your instincts – if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors, and drive away.
