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Organization: Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station
Date: October 27, 2008
Car Jacking and Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested after Vehicle Pursuit
Commit Crime? Not in the Santa Clarita Valley — On Friday, October 24, 2008 at approximately 11:50 p.m., two victims were robbed at gunpoint by a male Hispanic adult (later identified as suspect William Caceras, MH/26). The victims were seated in their vehicle (a red 2008 Chevy HHR) parked near Lowridge Place, Saugus, when the suspects pulled up next to them in a white Toyota Tundra. The suspect exited the driver's side door and approached the victim's vehicle. The suspect knocked on the driver's window and pointed a handgun (revolver) at the driver. The suspect ordered the victims out of their vehicle and robbed them of their personal property, which included the woman's purse.
Suspect Caceras then drove off in the victim's vehicle and another unseen suspect followed the stolen vehicle in the white Toyota Tundra. The victims were unable to get cell phone reception at their location near Lowridge Place. They went to Copperhill Drive and San Francisquito Canyon Road, where they were able to obtain cell phone reception and notify the Sheriff's Department.
Due to the fact the vehicle was equipped with OnStar, the Santa Clarita Valley Station Watch Deputy was able to contact OnStar and they tracked the stolen Chevy HHR to Alderbrook Drive and 12th Street in Newhall. Deputy Tunnell arrived at the location and upon his arrival saw a white Toyota Tundra driving away. The stolen Chevy was parked in the area and its license plates had been removed. Deputy Tunnell attempted to stop the white Toyota Tundra, which fled and attempted to evade him. Deputy Tunnell initiated a pursuit of the car jacking suspects. The vehicle pursuit went southbound on the I-5 Freeway and through surface streets, but eventually terminated in Burbank, just off the I-5 Freeway at Flower Street.
The driver, suspect Caceras, fled the scene on foot and was later apprehended with the assistance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau, which joined the pursuit. One handgun was recovered from the path the suspect ran as he fled the deputies. A female passenger (Evagelina Gomez, FH/25) who was on parole was arrested inside the Toyota Tundra. The Toyota Tundra was a reported stolen (10/09/08) vehicle from Santa Clarita Valley. Deputies recovered a replica 9mm handgun, the victim's stolen purse, stolen plates belonging to the Chevy HHR, and two additional license plates belonging to a stolen PT Cruiser.
Both suspects are in custody and the investigation is ongoing to determine if they are involved in additional robberies or possession of other stolen vehicles. There is no further information available at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 255-1121. -ref 19012
If You See Something, Say Something! Report non-emergency crime anonymously by visiting the following link: Crime Tips or calling (661) 284-2-TIP / (661) 284-2847.
