Police reported that a woman was sitting in her vehicle in Burlingame City Parking Lot J at 252 Primrose Road around 11:50 a.m. when a man approached her from behind.
The woman was sitting in her vehicle with the door open while she looked for change for the parking meter when the man approached her and threatened her with a handgun, police said.
The man ordered the victim to drive him away from the area, but the victim asked the man to take her keys and take the vehicle without her, according to police. The man resisted, insisting the woman go with him and drive the vehicle.
Bystanders in the area then approached the vehicle, and the suspect fled on foot south toward Howard Avenue, police said.
Witnesses described the suspect as a light-skinned black or Hispanic man in his 20s wearing a black puffy jacket and black pants.
Anyone with information regarding the attempted carjacking is asked to contact police at (650) 777-4100.
