Man Arrested For Armed Carjacking, Kidnapping In Riverside County: Sheriff

BANNING, CA — A man was arrested after carjacking a vehicle, kidnapping the driver at knifepoint and leading a vehicle pursuit in Riverside County, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a report of a stolen vehicle at 9:12 a.m. Sunday at Haugen-Lehmann Way and Tamarack Road in Whitewater, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office. They tried to stop the stolen Nissan Altima, but the driver, later identified as Steven Mata, 33, of San Diego fled from the area, prompting a pursuit on eastbound Interstate 10 toward Palm Springs.

The pursuit was discontinued due to dangerous driving, the sheriff's office said. A short time later, however, officers from the Palm Springs Police Department found the vehicle on Indian Canyon Road, north of Tramview Road.

The two occupants in the suspect vehicle fled, but were ultimately taken into custody, according to the sheriff's office.

After further investigation, deputies determined that Mata stole the vehicle at knifepoint in the Calimesa area, the sheriff's office said. The victim managed to escape in the Banning area and reported the crime to law enforcement.

Mata was booked on suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping, felony evading, and possessing a stolen vehicle at Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

The passenger was identified as Claudia Ruelas, 24, of Riverside. Ruelas, who was not involved in the theft of the vehicle, was cited for an unrelated warrant and released, according to the sheriff's office.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the the Cabazon Sheriff Station at 951-922-7100.