15 Years in Prison for Man Accused of Carjacking Elderly Woman

An Orland Park man accused of stealing an elderly woman’s car and purse, and kicking her while doing so, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday.

Peter Sousan, 25, of the 8300 block of Sunset Ridge Court in Orland Park, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking, a Class X felony, during a hearing at the Bridgeview courthouse.

On July 30, 2012, a then-88-year-old woman was stepping out of her car while parked at Walgreens at 7960 W. 159th St., when Sousan ran toward her, according to police.

Witnesses at the time saw Sousan grab the woman’s car keys and purse with force, before getting into her vehicle and driving away north on 80th Avenue. In the process, Sousan kicked the woman in the leg, causing a fracture.

Sousan was developed as a suspect between witness statements and a record of past crimes, police said at the time. A few days later, the woman’s car was found north of Garfield Park in Chicago. Sousan was seen in the same area about 36 hours later and was arrested. The woman and two witnesses identified Sousan as the man responsible, police said.

Sousan’s previous crimes included thefts, but not carjackings.

Sousan’s attorney turned down an unspecified plea deal from the state in August.

He was originally charged with aggravated battery and robbery in addition to aggravated vehicular hijacking.

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