A 15-year-old was arrested on March 30 during a Santa Maria Police Department investigation into several reports of carjackings and robberies that day. Another suspect thought to be involved in the incidents has not been apprehended as of March 31, according to the department.
The 15-year-old suspect was arrested by police after a resident reported that two teens attempted, but ultimately failed, to carjack her vehicle near the intersection of Alvin Avenue and North Lincoln Street at 5 p.m. on March 30, according to the department.
At 5:07 p.m., several other callers reported attempted carjackings and robberies near the 200 block of East El Camino Street. Callers said the crimes were being carried out by two men, according to the police.
The Santa Maria Police Department received numerous similar reports all within about an hour that day, Sgt. Michael McGehee told the Sun.
The 15-year-old suspect was found by officers later walking near the intersection of Broadway and Fesler Street, where he allegedly ran from officers but was apprehended and arrested a few blocks away.
During an investigation into the incidents, Santa Maria police discovered another carjacking victim, according to the release. The victim reported to police that the 15-year-old suspect allegedly carjacked his Nissan SUV, ordered him to stay in the car, and drove toward the intersection of Broadway and Tunnel Street, where the car collided with a Chevrolet Silverado truck.
After the collision, the suspect allegedly ran from the Nissan SUV toward the intersection of Broadway and Fesler Street, where police said they first saw him walking.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado truck was not injured, according to the police department, but the owner of the Nissan SUV and the suspect were both injured and transported to Marian Medical Center by ambulance.
The suspect was booked into Santa Maria Juvenile Hall later that day on suspicion of several felony charges, according to the department, and the second suspect has not been located or identified. The investigation is ongoing.
This article appears in Apr 5-12, 2018.
