West Covina man suspected of two carjackings, one attempt

A West Covina man suspected of carjacking two cars and trying to carjack a third was arrested at his home Thursday, authorities said.
Andy Ramirez, 31, was taken into custody on suspicion of two counts of carjacking and one count of attempted carjacking, West Covina police Sgt. Dennis Patton said. He was booked at the West Covina jail.
A woman was in a a parking lot near Grand Avenue and San Jose Hills Road in Walnut about 11:30 a.m. Thursday when a man pushed her down and took her car keys, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. John Saleeby said. The suspect then drove off in the woman’s car south on Grand.
Ramirez allegedly abandoned the stolen car and tried to steal another vehicle, but was unsuccessful, Patton said. A short time later, he’s suspected of carjacking a second vehicle by physically wrestling with a woman.
West Covina police saw the stolen car at Nanette Avenue and Ridgewood Drive and detained the driver, said Saleeby, who works out of the sheriff’s Walnut Station.
Ramirez allegedly drove that car about 500 yards before abandoning it and running away, police said. He was found at his home, which was near where the car was left.
The woman who owned the first stolen car was brought to the scene and positively identified the suspect as the carjacker, Saleeby said.
According to sheriff’s booking records, Ramirez was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and was due in West Covina Superior Court for arraignment Tuesday.

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