Employee safety concerns after carjacking in hospital building parking lot

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The struggle for safety is real at Methodist Healthcare on Union Avenue after an early morning carjacking has their employees concerned.

According to Memphis police, at around 5:30 a.m. Monday, an employee was held at gunpoint and forced to hand over the keys to her car along with her belongings.

Police say the stolen vehicle was found, and a 15-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, reckless driving, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, and evading arrest with a foot pursuit.

For Angelica Jones, the news of the carjacking came as no surprise, she has worked at Methodist for a couple of months and said there have been a number of times she has felt unsafe.

“I am kind of nervous anyway, because a lot of the employees have to come back and forth, and security is not usually out here, they are just in their cubbies and let people in the gates. And other than that, I feel like nothing is enforced here,” Jones said.

According to Memphis police, the carjacking happened in the parking lot right behind Methodist Healthcare where there is a security guard, Jones said.

“It is unbelievable, it kind of makes me nervous too, and I have one of those older cars that you could break into, so it is scary for me as well,” Jones said.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare released a statement below:

“We are deeply disheartened to confirm that one of our employees was involved in a carjacking incident. Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone on our campuses is of utmost importance. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities in their investigation and will continue to partner as we find opportunities to increase safety across our campuses. Our thoughts are with our employee, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the authorities.”

Jones said after this and recently having to park in a different lot further away from the building, she does not feel the best.

“It is kind of surprising because when I first started working here, I was in the smaller parking lot up front, but then they told me to come back here, and that is even more nerve-racking,” Jones said.

The 15-year-old suspect has since been transported to Juvenile Court.

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