Carjacking Suspect was Freed on AB 109, Says San Bernardino County
GRAND TERRACE – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies tracked down a felon who forcibly took a car from his girlfriend on Friday afternoon. Charles McNeely, 44 of Grand Terrace, will appear in a San Bernardino County courtroom on two occasions this week, facing charges on felony carjacking, federal gang enhancement and robbery.
Shortly before 8 p.m. last Friday, a woman identified as McNeely’s girlfriend reported that McNeely had taken her car against her will. “The victim and McNeely had been out together,” according to a sheriff’s release, “and became involved in an argument.” They continued arguing while he drove the two around Grand Terrace, located in San Bernardino County, south of the city of San Bernardino and bordering Riverside County.
When McNeely pulled the car to the side of the road, the victim pulled the keys from the ignition. She was threatened by McNeely, who was using a screwdriver as a weapon, according to reports. Out of fear, the victim jumped from the car, and McNeely was able to flee the area. Eventually, deputies located the car nearby, eventually finding their way to McNeely’s parent’s house in the Grand Terrace Senior Center, at 22600 Grand Terrace Road. Deputies reported that McNeely was located and taken into custody without incident.
McNeely was found to be on active release for felony narcotics charges out of San Bernardino County, according to court records. He is known as a Redlands Northside gang member, according to police records.
Authorities said McNeely is also a felon who was on Public Safety Realignment Act, part of the state’s plan to release prisoners who were convicted for non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious convictions to serve reduced sentences in county jails, or placed on local supervision through county probation offices. Assembly Bill 109, cited by sheriff’s deputies as the reason McNeely was released, is in compliance with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the state to reduce its prison overpopulation.
McNeely was taken to Central Detention Center, held on $250,000 bond.
