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Police Arrest Man Who Beat, Carjacked WWII Vet In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - A man who police say assaulted and carjacked an 86-year-old World War II veteran is behind bars Friday morning.

Detroit Police say the 21-year-old suspect was arrested around 1 a.m. Friday.

Aaron Brantley was on his way home from Bible study when he was assaulted in broad daylight and his car was stolen from a BP gas station on McNichols near Fairfield Street last week.

Brantley told The Associated Press said several people passed by him as he crawled, unable to walk because his leg was broken in the attack. He eventually tried to pay a stranger to drive him home, but the man drove him for free, and called an ambulance.

Before making the arrest, police released a video surveillance tape from just before the carjacking.

The video shows a young man enter the building. He appears to be looking outside, although it is not clear what he's looking at. He then approaches the door, still looking outside. Brantley is then seen walking up to the door, at which point the man steps back to let him inside. After Brantley walks in, the man exits the building, walking in the direction where Brantley was assaulted.

Station manager Haissam Jaber said he didn't see the attack but called 911 after a customer alerted him.

Police have neither confirmed nor denied that the man is the video is the suspect in custody.

Charges against the suspect, whose name was not released, are pending.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.

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