Photo: Stock Image
Written By: Reagan Ta
A 26-year-old Costa Mesa man has been arrested on suspicion of carjacking two vehicles near Fashion Island before leading police on a pursuit for several miles.
Alfredo M. Hopgood finally surrendered to Newport Beach police at nearly 9 PM on October 4th, over five hours after the initial incident occurred. He was booked on a number of charges, including robbery, carjacking, felon in possession of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, recklessly evading police, violating parole, and other firearm and ammunition charges.
The first carjacking was reported at 3:33 PM. Hopgood allegedly stole the first vehicle at gunpoint but didn’t make it far before the vehicle became disabled and stopped. He subsequently got out and then carjacked a second vehicle—a black Jeep Cherokee—at gunpoint once again.
Officers witnessed Hopgood flee the scene and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Hopgood ignored police and led them on a pursuit for the next several miles, then finally stopped in the Dover Shores neighborhood on Santioago Drive. He got out of the vehicle and fled on foot before hiding in a residential area, according to police.
Officers had neighboring homes evacuated and set up a perimeter. SWAT personnel and crisis negotiators responded to assist in locating and communicating with Hopgood. At 8:50 PM, he was found hiding in a backyard. “The suspect peacefully surrendered when encountered by officers,” said Newport Beach police.
“We would like to thank our law enforcement partners that provided our department with additional resources during the incident: the Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter- Duke, the California Highway Patrol’s helicopter – H50, and the Anaheim Police Department’s helicopter – Angel.”
