MYRTLE BEACH — A man and woman allegedly trying to steal a car were held at gunpoint by a concerned neighbor until police arrived, according to an incident report.

Michael Craig Grooms of Summerville and Sara Elisabeth Grooms of Goose Creek, both 24, are each jailed in Myrtle Beach on charges of grand larceny with a value of more than $2,000, but less than $10,000, and breaking into a motor vehicle, according to authorities.

The pair were arrested after officers were called to 100 Poplar St. about 6 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

A neighbor was on her front porch when she saw a woman, later identified as Sara Grooms, searching the inside of her neighbor’s vehicle, according to a police report.

The neighbor called the owner of the vehicle and during that conversation said a man, later identified as Michael Grooms, got in the driver’s side and tried to start the vehicle, but it would not start, according to the report. Michael Grooms then got out and pushed the vehicle out of the driveway before trying to start it again.

The vehicle owner came out to confront Grooms about why he was trying to steal the vehicle and they began to argue, according to the report. During the argument, the neighbor who reported the incident said Grooms stuffed items from inside the car into a pink beach bag he had with him.

The neighbor said she feared for the car owner’s safety so she retrieved her handgun from her house and ordered Michael Grooms to get on the ground until police arrived, according to the report.

Michael Grooms told officers that he thought the vehicle could have been his and that was why he tried to take it, but then realized it was not his car, according to the report. He did not answer police when asked why he continued to try and steal the car upon realizing it wasn’t his.

Police found the victim’s four checkbooks, a wallet that contained identification and credit cards, personal mail and some pictures from a vacation in Grooms’ possession. Michael Grooms and Sara Grooms were taken into custody and charged.

Officers determined the neighbor did not violate any law by brandishing the firearm.

Contact TONYA ROOT at 444-1723.