Man charged in Elkridge carjacking, theft

A Takoma Park man has been charged in the carjacking of a woman in Elkridge last week, Howard County police said.

Police said a man approached a woman about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday while she was pumping gas at an Exxon station in the 6300 block of Washington Blvd. The woman told investigators that the man put an object into her back and demanded her keys. Police said the victim complied, and the man drove off with the woman's purse in the vehicle.

Police found the car, a Chevrolet Geo Tracker, in Elkridge on Wednesday.

The woman told police that her credit cards had been used.

Police said they used surveillance tapes to identify the vehicle being driven by a suspect.

Police said that led them to James L. England, 44, who, was charged with carjacking, robbery, auto theft, theft, assault and handgun violations.