Woman Arrested in Salinas After Stealing Vehicle from Arroyo Grande 7-Eleven and Injuring Owner

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif. (KEYT) – A 44-year-old woman was arrested in Salinas after allegedly injuring the owner of a vehicle she was stealing from the 7-Eleven on Elm Street Saturday afternoon.

On July 18, around 1:30 p.m., officers were sent to the 7-Eleven at 701 Elm Street for a reported vehicle theft and while officers were on their way to the scene, dispatchers received information that a person had been run over during the incident stated a press release Sunday from the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

Arriving officers began providing medical aid to the injured 61-year-old Oceano man who had serious, but not life-threatening injuries, at the scene noted the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

He is currently in stable condition added the local law enforcement agency.

According to Arroyo Grande Police, an initial investigation revealed that an unknown woman had entered the victim's vehicle while the victim was inside the 7-Eleven and when the victim exited the store and confronted the woman, a physical altercation ensued involving both people and a witness.

During the struggle, the suspect allegedly placed the vehicle into drive and accelerated away at high speeds, dragging the vehicle's owner and causing him to sustain serious injuries detailed the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

Investigators issued an alert for the stolen vehicle and tracked the vehicle for several hours using license plate reader technology with assistance from multiple other area law enforcement agencies shared the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

Eventually, the vehicle entered Monterrey County and a California Highway Patrol helicopter located it being driven by the suspect near Salinas noted the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

Officers with the Salinas Police Department and the California Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and successfully took the 44-year-old woman into custody stated the Arroyo Grande Police Department.

The Arroyo Grande Police Department shared that the 44-year-old was then transferred into their custody before being booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on the following charges:

• PC 215(a)–Carjacking
• PC 245(a)(4)–Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• VC 20001(a)–Hit and Run Causing Injury
• VC 10851(a)–Motor Vehicle Theft

According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office, the 44-year-old remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.

Local law enforcement shared that it is recommended drivers lock their vehicles, even when leaving for a short amount of time, and while your first instinct might be to stop a crime in progress, especially if it involves your property, it is recommended that you protect yourself and not try to physically confront criminals.