Florida man allegedly tells victim 'sorry ... I need to see my grandmother' during armed carjacking

Florida

Florida man allegedly tells victim 'sorry ... I need to see my grandmother' during armed carjacking

Kenneth Shears, 18, allegedly crashed stolen vehicle into parked car after brief police chase, authorities say

Stephen Sorace Fox News

Published

January 27, 2026 1:10pm EST

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A masked 18-year-old man carjacked a woman at gunpoint in Orange County, Florida, telling her he needed the vehicle to go see his grandmother, authorities said.

Deputies arrested Kenneth Shears late Saturday after a brief chase that ended when he crashed the stolen car into another vehicle parked on a front lawn, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Shears has never had a driver’s license.

The victim spoke out about the ordeal to FOX35 Orlando on condition of anonymity, saying she was sitting in her car when Shears approached with a gun pointed at her. At first, she thought it was a joke.

"I am sorry to be doing this, but I need to see my grandmother," Shears told the victim, per the arrest report.

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Kenneth Shears, 18, is facing felony charges after he allegedly carjacked a woman at gunpoint in Orange County, Florida, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (Orange County Corrections Department)

She said she pleaded with him for several minutes and offered to give him a ride. Shears promised to return the car, authorities said.

"He looked like something was wrong," she told the outlet. "If he was robbing me, he could’ve taken all my jewelry. I had on jewelry. He could’ve taken my money. I had money on me and credit cards. He could’ve taken my bag. It had my laptop in it. He didn’t take anything."

Deputies said Shears led them on a brief car chase before his arrest. (Orange County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

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Deputies said Shears led them on a short chase before crashing into a parked car, totaling both vehicles.

Shears is being held at the Orange County Jail. (iStock)

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Shears faces multiple charges, including carjacking with a firearm, and is being held at the Orange County Jail.

Florida man allegedly tells victim 'sorry ... I need to see my grandmother' during armed carjacking