wo men were arrested early Friday morning in Gilroy on numerous
felony charges after they attempted to stab one victim with a
screwdriver during an attempted carjacking, then robbed a second
about an hour later while hijacking her car, police said.
Gilroy – Two men were arrested early Friday morning in Gilroy on numerous felony charges after they attempted to stab one victim with a screwdriver during an attempted carjacking, then robbed a second about an hour later while hijacking her car, police said.
Morgan Hill resident Joey Spille, 20, and Gilroy resident Jermaine Cecena, 19 were arrested after an officer spotted Spille driving the stolen Oldsmobile Cutlass and pursued it until Spille lost control and crashed into a fence.
The carjacking is the first in Gilroy since May of 2004.
“These suspects were taking a very aggressive stance in committing this crime,” said Gilroy Police Sgt. Kurt Svardal. “Spille was the one that was trying to stab the driver. He seemed to be the more aggressive of the two.”
The unusual string of events began about 11:15pm, as both men were standing in Gilroy intersection when they flagged down a Toyota Corolla driven by a 20-year-old Gilroy man and carrying a Gilroy teen.
“Once they stopped, (Spille) tried to pull (the driver) out and tried to stab him with a screwdriver,” Svardal said. The juvenile ran off to get help, as Cecena tried to start the Corolla, however, the car failed to start and the two suspects ran from the scene.
About an hour after the attempted carjacking, Cecena and Spille stole the car of 49-year-old female who had just returned home.
“Spille approached her holding what (she) believes to be a knife,” Svardal explained. “She was afraid and handed him her keys.”
They were caught a few minutes later after fleeing from police and crashing the vehicle.
Spille was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, possession of a concealed weapon, evading arrest, driving under the influence with injuries, attempted carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon and strong arm robbery.
Cecena, who suffered minor injuries, was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, attempted carjacking, and strong arm robbery.
