Milwaukee woman carjacked, shares her story: 'I was in fight mode'
MILWAUKEE - A woman was carjacked on Milwaukee's east side moments after pulling out of her garage. It all happened in just a matter of seconds.
Melinda Randa never thought her morning routine would put her face-to-face with danger.
"I pull my car out," Randa said. "I walk here, open this, hit the button to close, and I come back out and there he is."
Moments after pulling out of her garage near Edgewood and Hackett around 9:15 a.m. on Monday, March 7, a child ran up and hopped into her car. Randa opened the passenger door, started yelling at the kid, and grabbed her purse.
"While it was happening, I was in fight mode," Randa said.
The youth took off in Randa's 2014 Lexus 350. She called police.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Already this year, the Milwaukee Police Department has investigated more than 1,600 car thefts.
"These aren’t victimless crimes. You are a victim. He affected how comfortable I feel now in my house and my neighborhood," Randa said.
Melinda Randa
Randa's car was discovered early Friday on Milwaukee's north side – with windows tinted and some damage.
"I'm not sure I want that car. I actually think it would be traumatizing to take that car back," Randa said.
Randa is now warning others – if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.
"Something far worse can happen than what happened to me," Randa said.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
Milwaukee police are still looking for the person who stole the car. If you have information that could help in this investigation, you are urged to call MPD.
Featured
Officer shot 25th and St. Paul: Milwaukee police release video
The Milwaukee Police Department on Friday, March 11 released information and video regarding a January officer-involved shooting.
Featured
Milwaukee man accused; driving drunk, fleeing police in Oak Creek
A 30-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of driving drunk and fleeing from police during a traffic stop in Oak Creek in January.
Featured
Kyle Rittenhouse rifle destroyed by Wisconsin State Crime Lab
Kenosha police released pictures of the Kyle Rittenhouse rifle on Friday, March 11 – which was destroyed at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab in Milwaukee on Feb. 25.