Man accused of assaulting woman to steal her car

WEST HAVEN — A Harrisville man is accused of physically assaulting a woman to steal her car, then crashing it into a building while trying to flee.

The incident occurred Friday near 1050 West and 2100 South.

Brett Larkin Patterson, 37, is charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and failure to stop at the command of an officer. He is in Weber County Jail and made an initial appearance in court Tuesday.

The victim reportedly left the keys inside the unattended car when Patterson got in. She noticed him warming up the car and ran out to confront him, according to the police report.

Police said the woman began trying to physically remove him from her car when Patterson punched her in the chest, placed the car into gear and drove off. According to the report, Patterson drove the vehicle into a building and took off on foot.

Police say Patterson tried to hide from officers in a field nearby, but he was later found lying on the ground and was arrested.