Syringe-Wielding Bristol Carjacker Threatened Injections: DA

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — A man threatening to inject victims with a syringe during multiple carjackings in Bucks County was arrested over the weekend, authorities announced Tuesday.

Kevin O’Connell, 40, who police say has no fixed address, left an 83-year-old woman hospitalized during one of the carjackings, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said.

The first incident occurred back on March 16 at the McDonald's on 7700 Bristol Pike, in Bristol, just before 9:30 a.m.

A woman had just parked her 2019 Chevrolet Trax when O’Connell entered through the passenger side door, police said. “I’m a heroin addict and I have a needle," O'Connell said, according to the criminal complaint. "Get out of the car."

The woman fled, but O'Connell was unable to go anywhere with the car because it had keyless ignition, police said.

Multiple DNA swabs were taken at the scene, but O'Connell was not identified as the suspect until police said he struck again on Friday, Aug. 20, again in Bristol.

This time it was at 200 Commerce Circle, just after 10 a.m.

An elderly woman was walking back from an appointment at a medical clinic when O'Connell came up and asked for a dollar to get a drink, police said. When she said no, O'Connell said "I have AIDS" and said he was going to give her a shot with the needle, according to authorities.

O'Connell eventually got her keys and drove away swiftly, knocking the woman to the ground in the process, police said.

The woman suffered lacerations to her right leg and right arm as well as bruising to her leg, and was taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said.

Philadelphia Police captured O’Connell in Philadelphia early Saturday. He's been charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, robbery of a motor vehicle, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats, and simple assault.