METHUEN — An elderly Lawrence couple were carjacked outside a Methuen grocery store and driven to Lowell by a man brandishing a silver handgun.
As the couple were getting into their black Toyota Camry at Market Basket on Haverhill Street, a white male wearing a black wool hat got into the back seat behind the driver and showed a gun, according to Methuen police Detective Sgt. Tod Himmer.
The man and woman, ages 85 and 81 respectively, were not harmed but are said to be "somewhat shaken." Police were still searching for a suspect last night.
"He told the couple, 'Don't be stupid and I won't hurt you,'" Himmer said.
The gunman told the couple he had to get to Lowell. As they were driving west on Route 110, he demanded the man's wallet and the woman's purse.
He took $35, a prepaid cell phone and a credit card, Himmer said.
While on Route 110, the couple drove past a Lowell detail officer without trying to warn him. The man continued to remind them not to be stupid and draw attention to themselves.
He ordered the couple to stop the car at Bridge Street (the intersection of routes 110 and 38), where he got out and quickly walked out of sight.
The couple started back to Methuen with the intention of reporting the incident, but instead stopped when they saw the detail officer again at the Hunts Falls Rotary and flagged him down.
Their car was towed and later processed by Methuen police Detective John Delano. There were no security cameras in the Market Basket parking lot.
The carjacking happened around 3 p.m. Methuen police were notified around 4:45 p.m.
The gunman is described as white, in his 30s, medium height and weight, clean shaven with blue eyes.
Himmer said police are declining to release the identity of the couple because they are in fear for their safety.
Anyone with information about the carjacking or the carjacker's identity is asked to call Lowell police at 978-937-3200.
People also can phone the Methuen Police Department at 978-794-3245 and ask for Delano.
