Woman severely beaten after apparent carjacking in Harwood Heights

HARWOOD HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS) -- A woman was severely beaten and found lying in the street after a carjacking on Wednesday, police said. 

The woman was in the hospital with life-threatening injuries hours later.

As CBS 2's Marissa Perlman reported, police said a suspect was in custody late Wednesday afternoon. How they made the arrest is not yet clear.

The victim was a 61-year-old woman who lives in the neighborhood where she was attacked. She was found lying in the street, and the car was gone.

"This is so not, not safe area anymore," said neighbor Bozena Mikula.

Longtime neighbors are not used to seeing such crime in northwest suburban Harwood Heights – multiple investigators, crime scene tape, and evidence markers blocking off Natchez Avenue north of Montrose Avenue.

"Right now, we don't feel safe – not anymore," Mikula said. "Even our police department – they are such a nice, they are such a helpful – you know, when you call, it's right away."

Police said the woman was carjacked and beaten shortly after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. We spoke with a family member off camera, who said he found the woman lying in the street and called 911.

He told us the victim was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, and her injuries are life-threatening.

Another neighbor, Maria Mogeron, woke up the crime scene outside her home. Her daughter interpreted for her.

"She is scared, because she's never seen something like this happen before," Mogeron's daughter said, "and she's almost nine years living in this area, and she's scared. She's walking a lot here."

Harwood Heights police said they are working with state and local agencies on the investigation, and again, a suspect is in police custody.

No charges have been announced, and the identity of the suspect has not been released.