Carjacker Creates Chaos

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by Claire Sharpe , March 8, 2023

Photo: Stock Image

Corona, CA –  A carjacking suspect was apprehended after a police pursuit that spanned through multiple Southern California counties on March 3, 2023. The incident began when the Corona Police Department received a report from the Ontario Police Department about a pursuit and hit-and-run incident that occurred in Chino at approximately 2:59 PM.

With the assistance of the Ontario Police Department helicopter, Corona police officers located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Ontario Avenue in Corona. However, due to the suspect’s reckless driving and traffic conditions, officers did not pursue the vehicle.

The Riverside Police Department’s helicopter arrived and maintained observation of the suspect as he drove into the Shell gas station parking lot at 1550 East Ontario Avenue in Corona. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Benjamin Gonzalez from Los Angeles County, exited his vehicle with a rifle and entered the gas station’s food mart. After leaving the store, Gonzalez confronted a 37-year-old male Corona resident and carjacked his pickup truck, firing at least one rifle round during the confrontation. The victim was not injured.

The suspect then led police officers on a pursuit through Corona and into Orange and Los Angeles Counties. The chase ended in the City of Los Angeles, where the truck collided with a light pole and became inoperable. A short foot pursuit followed, with members of the Corona Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department apprehending Gonzalez.

Multiple officer-involved shootings occurred during the incident in various locations in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, but no officers or civilians were injured by gunfire. Gonzalez was injured by gunfire and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He has a violent criminal history.

The Corona Police Department’s Critical Incident Team is currently investigating the incident in collaboration with the involved allied agencies. Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call (951) 817-5837.