A Moosic man was charged this week in an attempted carjacking that took place at a Plains Twp. gas station late last year.
Kenneth William McDonald, 32, of 1114 Springbrook Ave., is accused of trying to steal a car as well as pilfering a hat from the Turkey Hill Minit Market at 16 S. Main St. on the evening of Dec. 9.
According to the complaint, McDonald stole a hat valued at $15 from the store and then jumped into the driver’s seat of a 2024 Honda sedan whose owner had stepped outside at the gas pumps.
A good Samaritan, Andres Merced, heard the owner screaming for help and pinned McDonald down until police arrived, the complaint says.
During questioning, McDonald told investigators he had intended to take the car and park it somewhere. He also revealed he uses “a lot of meth,” the complaint says.
Police charged McDonald with robbery of a motor vehicle, theft, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, retail theft and criminal mischief.
Magisterial District Judge Joseph D. Spagnuolo Jr. arraigned McDonald on the charges Tuesday evening and released him on $35,000 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 18.