A 20-year-old Maryland man has been charged over the death of a woman hit by a stolen forklift in the carpark of a Home Depot store, according to Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said Bryce Caleb Timothy Brown broke into a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Waldorf at around 12.40am, stole a forklift and rammed it through the rear gates of the property.

Brown drove the forklift nearly 1 km to the carpark of a Home Depot store where he rammed a parked car.

Gloristine Pinkney, 73, was asleep in the car at the time. Police said she was woken by the impact and got out of the car.

Police allege Brown ran over her, then stole her car and fled.

She was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The victim’s vehicle was later recovered near the suspect’s house.

Brown was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, assault, theft and other related charges.

He is being held at the Charles County Detention Center without bond.