'They hit me in the head': 3 teens accused of carjacking 72-year-old man

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 72-year-old man is recovering after he said three teens attacked and carjacked him outside his home Thursday night in Charlotte.

Santiago Licona, 72, said he had just pulled up in his driveway around 8:30 p.m. when three teens struck him on the head and took his vehicle at gunpoint on Stoneface Road.

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"They hit me in the head. I thought they were going to take my eye out," said Licona.

Licona was beaten so badly, he needed several stitches.

A short time after the attack, officers spotted Licona's car and tried to pull it over, but the driver refused to stop. Officers said the teens led police on a chase before jumping out of the car and trying to run away on 4th and Cedar streets.

Dozens of officers responded to the scene and set up a perimeter, eventually arresting them.

"I feel good now that the police arrested him. That shows us they are doing a good job," Licona said.

Licona said he's lived in the United States for more than 20 years and he's never been a victim of a crime like this. He said he hates to see people so young turn to violence.

[ALSO READ: Masked gunman robs 73-year-old man having heart attack in Stanly County home]

"Young people leave school. I think for them it's now easier to carry a gun than to work," he said.

Detectives learned that the weapons used in the robbery were a BB gun and a paintball gun.

Police told Channel 9 Tyshan Springs, 17, was charged with common law robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, felony conspiracy, resisting arrest and felony flee and elude.

(Tyshan Springs)

A 14-year-old was charged with common law robbery, resisting arrest, assault with a deadly weapon and felony conspiracy.

The 15-year-old was charged with felony conspiracy and resisting arrest.

Despite soreness in his jaw and some difficulty hearing, Licona is recovering and thankful to be alive.

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