Overview
- The 84-year-old was parking her 2013 Subaru Forester at the East Setauket Walmart on Nesconset Highway when she stepped out to move a shopping cart and a woman entered the driver’s seat.
- Police say a struggle followed in which the victim was shoved to the ground, intentionally run over and dragged a short distance, and she remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
- During the escape, the driver struck a pole, a stop sign, another vehicle and a brick retaining wall before fleeing the parking lot, according to authorities.
- Suffolk County police arrested 34-year-old Dareine Heller around 1 p.m. on Pond Path in Centereach, and the Subaru was impounded.
- Charges include two counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree assault including a count for a victim 65 or older, first-degree reckless endangerment, leaving the scene causing injuries and two counts of seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance.