Auburn Hills man charged with carjacking after waving woman down for help in parking lot, forcing her out of car

AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) — An Auburn Hills man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a woman’s car, crashing and taking off on foot.

Zahir Hashim Abdul Aziz was arraigned Friday on charges that include carjacking and attempted carjacking, a day after the 20-year-old allegedly forced a woman out of her car.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office says a woman was driving her car through a parking lot off South Opdyke Road on Wednesday when Aziz allegedly “waved her down as if he needed help.”

He allegedly threw the woman out of her car and a struggle ensued. He eventually took the victim’s car, hitting two other vehicles as he pulled away, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Aziz ultimately ran from the scene after crashing the car. He was eventually taken into custody.

Authorities say the carjacking came shortly after he unsuccessfully tried to carjack a different vehicle.

“This defendant put the victim and everyone in the area in danger, and this could have been much worse,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per a press release. “Combating violent crime is my top priority, and those who pose a threat to public safety will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Aziz has been charged with carjacking, attempted carjacking, reckless driving and driving with a suspended/revoked/denied license. At Friday’s arraignment, bond was set at $50,000, no 10%.

Carjacking is a felony punishable by life imprisonment or any term of years and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest. Attempted carjacking is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment and requires DNA to be taken upon arrest.

The reckless driving and suspended license charges are misdemeanors that carry a punishment of up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

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