Hesperia Carjacker Pistol-Whips Driver, Runs Him Over, Police Say
HESPERIA (CBSLA.com) – Authorities are searching for a man who carjacked a sedan outside a Hesperia liquor store Sunday evening, beat the victim with a BB gun and then ran over him while speeding away.
The carjacking occurred at around 7:20 p.m. in the 15600 block of Bear Valley Road, outside the Royal Liquor store.
"I heard some yelling, and when I looked outside, I saw a gun," liquor store employee Fadi Numan told CBS2 Tuesday.
The victim told Hesperia police he had exited the liquor store and walked to his 2009 Nissan Altima when the suspect approached him, pulled out what turned out to be a BB gun and beat him with it.
Despite an attempt by the victim to fight him off, the suspect got into the victim's car and sped away, running over the victim's leg in the process, police said. The victim sustained minor injuries.
The bizarre scene was partly captured on surveillance video.
"This moment when I saw the gun, I pushed the emergency button," Numan said.
Prior to the attack, the suspect came into the store with an odd request.
"He came in and asked me if I'd sell him a single cigarette, I told him 'no,'" Numan said.
The suspect remains at large and the stolen car has not been recovered. Surveillance photos of the suspect have been released. He is described as Hispanic, with a medium build, a goatee and glasses. The Altima may have rear end damage.
Anyone with information on the case should call police at 760-947-1500 or 1-800-78-CRIME.