Husband talks about wife's carjacking ordeal

Police have charged a man with kidnapping after an Edmonton woman was carjacked late Sunday night.

Cindy Miller was waiting in a car with the motor running Sunday night, while her husband Terry went to get money from an automated teller. The day had not been a good one for the Millers.

"We had spent the day at the Royal Alex hospital. My wife had fallen, broke her shoulder." Terry Miller told Global News on Monday.

That's when another man jumped into the drivers seat of the vehicle and drove away.

"I walked out the doors of the credit union and saw my car slowly pull away from the curb." Miller said.

Terrified, Terry Miller ran across the street and called police from a nearby Blockbuster Video. Police were quick to respond to the scene.

Meanwhile, down 118th avenue, the carjacker crashed into a pickup truck only a few blocks away from the bank.

He took off again, but was tracked down a short time later.

Neither Cindy Miller or the carjacker was seriously hurt. Terry Miller credits the quick response time of Edmonton police officers with saving his wife.

"All of them deserve such praise that I cannot express my gratitude to all of them. They were fast, they were professional."

Police were able to track down a suspect after the car was recovered.

"Shortly after the collision happened, a dog team was brought in to track the man who fled from the accident." EPS spokesperson Chad Orydzuk said. "They found him a few blocks away, hiding in a dumpster."

"An appropriate place for him." Miller said. "Very appropriate. Shoulda left him there."

Clinton Wharry, 35, has been charged with kidnapping, theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, criminal hit and run, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and breach of probation.

While this story had a reasonably happy ending, police say it serves as a warning to drivers.

"This is very disturbing." Orydzuk said. "It's an awful reminder to people that crime happens quite quickly. It's also a reminder to keep your vehicle locked."

A reminder Terry Miller says he'll be taking to heart.