Prosecutor: Carjacker offered to return vehicle for $50

CHICAGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Prosecutors said an alleged carjacker in Chicago contacted the vehicle's owner and offered to sell the 1998 Chevy Malibu back to her for $50.

Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said Jereh Brown, 24, received a ride in the victim's car from a friend of the owner Dec. 26 and he forced the woman out of the driver's seat while the car was stopped.

Antonietti told a Wednesday hearing Brown contacted the owner of the car, a 19-year-old woman, Monday and offered to sell the 1998 Chevy Malibu back to her for $50.

The woman arranged to meet with Brown and contacted police to accompany her to the chosen location, the prosecutor said.

Police found Brown hiding in a closet in a home at the location of the arranged meeting just before 10 p.m. Monday and he was arrested. Investigators found a key to the car inside the home where Brown was arrested.

Brown was charged with vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was released on electronic monitoring.