ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A woman was rescued from the Genesee River on Wednesday afternoon after an apparent robbery attempt in Gates that became a carjacking and kidnapping.

Police said a 74-year-old woman was pulled from the river around 2 p.m. near Flint Street. She was rescued and police described her injuries as minor.

Police said her car, a grey sedan, was spotted by passersby hanging close to the edge of the water.

According to police, a man tried to rob a real estate agency on Chili Avenue just before 1 p.m., pulling a black handgun inside Stefanou Realty. He then fled on foot, and encountered the woman in her driveway.

Police say the man stole the car, kidnapped the woman and drove into the city of Rochester, apparently driving the car down the canal path. Police said before the suspect ran off, he pushed the woman into the water.

"When you see stuff like this, to me, as a veteran police officer, shows that a lot of times these are people who are desperate, these are people who have some sort of addiction problems, they're not thinking straight and they take incredible risks like this and put people in jeopardy," said Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode.

The victim had minor injuries and was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. Her family family has a message for the suspect.

“I hope for his sake he turns himself in," said Sara Taggert, the victim's granddaughter. "You know, a 74-year-old woman.  Do right. You messed up. Do right by yourself.”

Police said the man was last seen along with river wearing a blue hoodie. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.