Quick-thinking college student escapes carjacker after 150 miles
GREENPORT, N.Y -- A Long Island native managed to escape a carjacker who kidnapped her vehicle and took her on a 150-mile ride, CBS New York reports.
Rachel Stephenson, 23, was heading to New York when she stopped at a gas station in Pennsylvania on Thursday and a man, identified by police as Raliek Chambers, 18, jumped into the driver's seat of her car while Stephenson was pumping gas.
Stephenson attempted to open the passenger side door to rescue her two cats but said she got caught in the car door.
Surveillance video captured some of the scene.
"He had put the car into drive and was speeding away and the door wasn't shut," Stephenson told CBS New York. "It was slamming against my legs and my legs were still hanging out of the car."
According to Stephenson's father, Chambers allegedly hit Rachel, announced he had a gun, and said he was making a run for Virginia.
Stephenson, who is working toward a masters in social work at Binghamton University, tried to calm the alleged carjacker down.
"... I knew if he got angry, then things would turn out worse for me," Stephenson said.
Her efforts may have been successful. The station reported the suspect didn't notice as Rachel texted her boyfriend for help. She even convinced her alleged kidnapper to let her take a call from her father in which she calmly provided critical information, the station reported.
As gas ran low, Stephenson attempted to escape.
"She jumped out the car and ran to a group of people, screaming frantically that she was being kidnapped," Brett Stephenson said.
The alleged carjacker took off, according to the station, but police were able to track Stephenson's cell phone and catch up with him.
Chambers is charged with kidnapping and robbery. According to police, he tried to carjack three other vehicles before taking Stephenson's.
Rachel Stephenson is now back at school with her car and beloved cats and is trying to raise money to purchase a new car.