The most recent incident was reported on March 18. According to the authorities, a driver attempted to pass the suspects’ vehicle, and the suspect allegedly accelerated, cut him off, and abruptly braked. The maneuver reportedly caused a collision. After both vehicles stopped, the alleged victim approached and questioned what had happened, and the suspect allegedly sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. The suspect then reportedly used a hatchet to damage the alleged victim’s vehicle and stabbed multiple tires with a knife. The alleged victim later told investigators he feared for his life during the encounter.
Investigators connected that incident to earlier incidents that occurred in the same area. Surveillance footage and vehicle details reportedly linked the same car to multiple encounters.
In a separate incident days earlier, the pair allegedly targeted another driver in a parking lot. The authorities said the suspects honked and chased the vehicle before pulling up beside it. The passenger reportedly threw objects at the car, striking it during a second attempt and causing significant damage.
An earlier encounter on Feb. 19 also took place in a Walmart parking lot. In that case, a man sitting in his car with his young daughter was allegedly followed closely by the suspects’ vehicle. When he stopped to ask what was happening, the passenger reportedly spat at him and then threw a rock at his car. As he attempted to leave, the driver allegedly chased him while holding a hammer, and another rock was thrown, damaging the vehicle and narrowly missing the windshield.
The authorities later arrested both suspects. They were booked into jail and held on a $150,000 bond while facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, criminal damage, and endangerment.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.