Woman fights off attacker in store lot

A woman fought off an assault yesterday afternoon in a store parking lot off Route 1 in Saugus.

A Saugus man was arrested in the case last night, accused of threatening the woman with a gun and trying to steal her car, State Police said.

John L. Jumper, 47, allegedly approached the woman's car about 2:30 p.m. in the Circuit City parking lot on Lynn Fells Parkway.

"As far as we know, he did not know his victim," said State Police Lieutenant Eric Anderson. "It appears to be a random encounter."

Anderson said Jumper pointed a handgun in the woman's face and ordered her to get out of her Honda Accord. She began screaming, attracting the attention of nearby shoppers. When they began running toward the car, the man fled into some nearby woods, Anderson said.

State and local police searched the area for hours, using helicopters. Following a tip, police arrested Jumper at a home in Saugus shortly after 9 p.m.

Jumper was charged with attempted carjacking, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was expected to remain in State Police custody until his arraignment tomorrow, Anderson said.