RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Update:
The Rancho Cordova Police Department identified a suspect and person of interest in a carjacking that took place Wednesday afternoon.
Larnelle Flournoy, 32, was arrested at the scene after stealing an ice cream and crashing it in a ditch.
According to a witness, when a woman in a black BMW pulled over to check on the driver, the man got out and carjacked her.
Detectives now consider the woman, Christina Butuza, 31, a person of interest in the carjacking of the ice cream truck and the events that followed.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Butuza is urged to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office at 916-874-5115.
Original:
At least one person is in the hospital after a carjacking and car chase Wednesday, near the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Fitzgerald Road in Rancho Cordova.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office says the man stole an ice cream truck in Rancho Cordova at around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, but then crashed it on a ditch.
According to a witness, when a woman in an SUV pulled over to check on the driver, the man got out and carjacked her.
Shortly after taking off, the carjacker wrecked the SUV into a compact car, causing it to roll. The driver of that car had minor injuries.
The carjacker then got out and ran into a field, where he was captured. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries from the crash.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office offered a few tips to drivers if they ever find themselves in this kind of situation:
- Be aware of your surroundings. People start looking at their phones or have other distractions when stuck in traffic or at a red light. Once they realize there is an emergency situation or a danger to them, their time to react has been diminished.
- Do not try to apprehend the suspect or intervene in the suspect's actions.
- Comply with demands from the suspect for your property. Your life is not worth risking over any property, including your vehicle.
- Get to a safe location and away from the suspect immediately. If at all possible, do not remain in your vehicle.
- Observe every detail you can. What the suspect was wearing, saying, doing and immediately report the information to law enforcement.
- Have your vehicle information handy. Know your license plate and have a detailed description of your vehicle available. This will assist law enforcement in looking for the suspect and your vehicle immediately in case if you're ever in that situation.