A man accused of carjacking a woman and her infant outside a mall Tuesday in Brockton, Massachusetts, is being held without bail.
Police say 32-year-old Jose Robles of Taunton was very apologetic after being captured. He pleaded not guilty in court Wednesday, hanging his head low as prosecutors accused him of the carjacking at Westgate Mall.
Robles allegedly took a 2007 Toyota Camry at gunpoint after the owner came out of the mall just after noon Tuesday. He allegedly demanded the woman give him her car keys as she was putting a child into a car seat after leaving Macy's.
"It's tough, but they're fine," said Ron Christianson, who says his wife, daughter and 11-month-old granddaughter were the victims.
Police say Sarah Landers hit the unlock button on her car keys. When the family got to the car, Robles was in the driver seat.
Landers was able to get her daughter out of the back, but couldn't prevent the theft. Robles allegedly led state police on a chase into Stoughton, where he crashed into a telephone pole. He was found hiding after a brief foot chase.
While being placed under arrest, police say he admitted to the carjacking.
While Robles is behind bars, Christianson says he's grateful for the quick-acting officers who made sure his family was safe.
"They were there instantly and treated my girls just great," he said.
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Robles was charged with armed carjacking, armed robbery, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, operating with a suspended license and failure to stop for police. And police say this isn't the first time Robles has been charged in a carjacking.
He is being held without bail until his next hearing on Feb. 22.
