Police arrest suspect who carjacked Utah grandmother

(KUTV) Peggy Larsen said it was the best gift ever: getting a phone call from police telling her the man who held a gun to her head and stole her car was arrested.

"There is no Christmas present that can compare," she said.

Larsen said early on Monday, December 14, she was in her car in the driveway when she told her 12 year-old grandson to get out of the car and go back in the house to get a coat. Suddenly, a man wearing a beanie and a bandana over his face appeared. He put a gun to her forehead and ordered her out of the car.

Peggy panicked saw her grandson walk out of the house and toward the car. He saw the man pointing the gun at his grandma.

"I thought I was going to die and my grandson was going to witness it," she said.

Peggy opened the door and fell out of the car. The suspect she said, drove off in a hurry, with both car doors still open.

Three days later, the suspect, Diareece McCarty, and three other men were arrested after they allegedly shoplifted at the Target store in Cottonwood Heights.

Cottonwood Heights officers said McCarty, Corey Heyen , Steven Hancock and one other man were arrested.

Sgt. Ryan Shosted said the suspects had two guns and Peggy Larsen's credit cards. The men are suspected of several robberies and burglaries across the Salt Lake Valley.

Peggy said after the carjacking, she and her family slept in the same bed together out of fear of the suspects returning.

After they were arrested she felt relief and a huge weight off her shoulders.

"There is no greater gift than knowing I don't have to worry about those guys anymore," she said.