Knife-wielding carjacker terrorizes in Camden, Collingswood

A knife-wielding carjacker went on a bizarre, if brief, crime spree in Camden and Collingswood early Wednesday evening, eventually dumping a car that was found Thursday morning in Camden.

The heavyset man remained on this loose this evening, but the Camden County prosecutor released video of the suspect.

He began with an attempted carjacking at about 5:15 p.m. in the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center on Haddon Avenue in Camden. He twice demanded the keys of a nurse walking to her car, authorities said. When she told him no and began walking toward a shuttle bus for hospital staff.

Minutes later, he then apparently got into a car stopped at a light at White Horse Pike and Ferry Road, about a half mile from the hospital parking lot, authorities said.

He threatened two women inside the car with a knife, demanding they take him into Collingswood on Pacific Avenue. As they drove on Pacific Avenue, he saw a couple taking their baby out of silver 2004 GMC Envoy with Pennsylvania plates with the engine still running. He hopped in and drove away.

The sports utility vehicle was found this morning about 10 a.m. this morning at 27th and Mickle streets in Camden.

The suspect is described as a black male weighing between 250 and 275 pounds. He stands approximately five feet seven inches to six feet tall.

The prosecuor's office said police are investigating whether these incidents have any connection with a gas station robbery on Route 130 in Collingswood Friday night.

"There is no information that indicates there is a connection between this suspect and a gas station attendant murder in Willingboro, as initial reports suggested," the prosecutor's office said in a statement. "These appear to be unrelated crimes."

Anyone with information on this, contact Collingswood Sgt. Guy Deritis at 856-854-2401 ext. 102 or Camden City Detective Mark Saunders at (609) 839-0794.