WFLA

Elderly woman outwits man who tried to kidnap her in Clearwater Hobby Lobby parking lot

An elderly woman’s quick response when a man tried to kidnap her in a Clearwater Hobby Lobby parking lot may have saved her life.

Clearwater Police Department detectives say Douglas Clark Harry Hoover, 37, walked up to the 76-year-old woman as she was about to get into her car.

He told her, “Get in the car, I have a gun.”  But, the woman refused to get into her car.

Hoover then moved closer to her and repeated his demand, “Get in the car, I have a gun.”

The woman then screamed and fell to the ground.

Hoover took off running and was chased by a witness, but the witness lost sight of Hoover.

Clearwater police officers responded and brought a K9 officer with them.

K9 Ambrose tracked Hoover and led officers to an apartment complex at 2550 Stag Run Blvd. where they found Hoover.

Police officers took Hoover into custody. 

He was charged with felony attempted kidnapping.

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