The victim said the suspects then drove off in his car, which was later found crashed and abandoned about a mile away.
About three hours later, patrol deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The car was being driven by 29-year-old Karen Serrato. Also in the car were two juveniles and one adult, all known gang members. Serrato claimed the three gang members were inside her house at the time of the carjacking. The two juveniles that were arrested were later released.
Investigators later developed information that the suspects in Serrato's car had in fact committed the carjacking. On September 29 they served a search warrant at Serrato's residence and determined she had given false information.
She was arrested for being an accessory to the crime.
Over the next few days, several more search warrants were carried out and deputies arrested four more people, including a 13-year-old male and a 17-year-old male. Also arrested were 20-year-old Sergio Alvarez and 19-year-old Jose Puga.
All face charges of carjacking and street terrorism.
