Young teens carjack driver at gunpoint in Oxnard
Oxnard police have an armed carjacking case with a twist. The three people sought are young boys — very young — maybe no older than 12 years old.
“When the officers got there they spoke with the victim and he reported that he was parking his car when all of a sudden three kids approached him and one of them had a gun and threatened him with it,” said Luis McArthur, an Oxnard Police Commander.
The driver handed the boys his keys, and they drove off in a 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan. It happened just before 10 p.m. Wednesday night on Cortland Street near Southwinds Park in Oxnard.
“It is unusual,” said McArthur. “They can’t even drive yet. They certainly don’t have a license to drive. So we are asking for the public’s help if they see this mini van driving around with middle school age looking kids to call the police department.”
The driver describes the three boys between the ages of 12 and 14 years old, 5-foot-3, and about 100 pounds. Oxnard police tell us even though car theft is on the rise, most of the crimes are committed by those who can drive, not someone so underage.
“That is what is concerning,” said McArthur. “They normally don’t confront vehicle owners when they want to steal a car, they do it when no one is looking.”
If caught, the three boys could face time in juvenile detention.
“Depending on their age, anyone below the age of 12 cannot be held accountable for their actions,” said McArthur. “But if they are over the age of 12 then they are looking at a commitment offense at juvenile hall for carjacking.”
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740. You may also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit their website to submit a tip via text or email.
