‘I Just Got So Mad’: 81-Year-Old Man Fights Off Carjacking Suspect

An 81-year old man is still feeling the effects after fighting off an alleged carjacker Thursday morning in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Clarence Jones had just pulled into a Citgo to play the lottery when he was allegedly assaulted by 30-year old Jared Clinton, who attempted to “yank” him out of his car, according to WSOC-TV.

“He was cussing, and he tried to come to snatch my door on the right side,” Jones told WSOC. “When he went to pull it, I pulled it. I just got so mad. And whatever it was, I just tried to do the best I can.”

Clearance Jones told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon that he is still hurting from that tug of war after a man tried to yank him out of his car. https://t.co/E4yydrzs7C

— WSOCTV (@wsoctv) July 18, 2022

According to a statement issued by the Gastonia Police Department, Clinton was already on the run from police for reportedly stealing a vehicle. After fleeing officers on foot, Clinton tried to pull Jones out of his car, according to police. (RELATED: Senior Citizen Suffers Broken Bones During Attempted Carjacking)

As Clinton grabbed at Jones’ shirt and tried to yank him out of the vehicle, Jones reversed his car, stopped and then pulled forward, causing Clinton to lose his grip, WSOC-TV reported.

Officers apprehended Clinton before he could flee again and transported him to the Gaston County Jail where he was charged with multiple criminal and traffic-related offenses and is being held on a $250,000 bond, according to the Gastonia Police Department.

Jones told WSOC-TV that his shoulder still hurts, but he had no other injuries. “I was lucky. I just thank God to get the help and strength,” he said.