An Andover man was arrested Friday night in Rhode Island, hours after police say he attacked a 77-year-old man and stole his car.
David L. Agneta, 46, faces several charges in Newburyport, including carjacking (two counts) and assault and battery on an elderly or disabled person.
Following Agneta’s arrest in Exeter, Rhode Island, for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, police obtained an arrest warrant on the felony carjacking and assault charges from Newburyport District Court on Saturday, according to City Marshal Matthew Simons.
About 3:13 p.m. on Friday, police were dispatched to a home on High Street in Newburyport after receiving a 911 call reporting that an unknown man came into a residential driveway, shoved a man to the ground and stole his car. The vehicle was last seen being driven east on High Street.
The preliminary investigation indicates the victim had just arrived home and gotten out of his car when he was approached by someone demanding his keys.
The suspect took the keys during a violent altercation and stole the vehicle, according to local police.
The victim was treated at the scene by Atlantic Ambulance.
Newburyport police received a description of the suspect and were able to identify him through nearby surveillance video and additional evidence.
Agneta is expected to be arraigned in a Rhode Island court on Monday morning before being brought back to Massachusetts at a later date to answer to the carjacking and assault charges. A rendition request was approved on Saturday by the Essex District Attorney’s Office, according to Simons.
“I’d like to commend our investigators, including the responding officer, Patrolman Michael Falite and Inspector Dani Sinclair, for the excellent work they put into this case. Their professionalism resulted in a quick determination of the identity of the suspect, providing us with the evidence needed to obtain a warrant and leading to this arrest in Rhode Island,” Simons said.
“I’m very grateful that their swift efforts and smart thinking led to this violent suspect being taken off the streets, so he can no longer continue to put the public at risk.”
Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.