2 charged with carjacking 88-year-old woman outside Livonia Walmart

Two people were arraigned Thursday in the carjacking of an 88-year-old woman at a Livonia Walmart. 

Prosecutors say Jason Malinas, 38, of Sterling Heights, and Jessica St. Clair, 41, of Wayne attacked the woman just before 4 p.m. Tuesday after she parked her car at the store on the 29500 block of Plymouth Road. 

"As she was walking to get a shopping cart, it is alleged that Malinas pulled the victim’s purse strap, causing her to fall to the pavement," a press release from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. "It is further alleged that Malinas took the victim’s purse and keys and drove away in the victim’s car."

St. Clair was in the passenger seat, according to the prosecutor's office. 

Police, who received information from people who witnessed the crime, were able to arrest the suspects at 11 p.m. the same day.   

Victim Gloria Kevelighan said a man knocked her to the ground and then drove away with a woman in her Ford Escape. Kevelighan said she tried to "sock him" with her cane.

More:88-year-old 'tough broad' describes Livonia robbery: 'He pushed me full force'

She was badly bruised on her arm and face but otherwise had no serious injuries.  

"I'm a tough broad," she said. 

Malinas and St. Clair have been charged with carjacking, unarmed robbery and five counts of stealing a financial transaction device. 

They were arraigned in the 16th District Court in Livonia. Each defendant received a $2 million cash/surety bond, the prosecutor's office said. 

A probable cause conference has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 27 before Judge Kathleen McCann. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.