82-year-old thrown to ground, has car stolen at Caldwell County recreation center

GRANITE FALLS, N.C. — An 82-year-old woman was attacked outside a Caldwell County recreation center earlier this week.

Her car was stolen and a good Samaritan who stepped in to help couldn't stop the attacker from driving away.

The attack was captured on surveillance video, but the attacker is still on the loose.

Joann McLean was taking her early morning stroll along the walking trail runs around the baseball fields and tennis courts at the Granite Falls Recreation Center.

She said she was getting ready to unlock her car when she was grabbed and thrown to the ground.

McLean parked her car near the walking trail at the recreation center when a man approached her just as she was trying to get in.

"When I got to the car, he was waiting for me, and I put the key in, and all of the sudden, he was behind me and knocked me down,” McLean said.

Before the suspect took off with McLean’s car, Brett Barlow heard the nearby commotion and ran over to help her.

He attempted to get in the car to stop the attacker, but man took off.

"I just wanted to get in,” Barlow said. “I didn't want to let loose of the car because I knew he'd be gone.  Just wanted to get a hold of him.  If I had, it ain't no telling what would have happened."

Family members said the man took off with a white 2008 Hyundai Accent.

Police said they haven't found the car or the man who took it.

The recreation center attracts hundreds of people during the weekend.

“I'm not going there anymore. I can't do that anymore,” McLean said.

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