RivCo Convicted Sex Offender Must Stand Trial In Carjacking, Auto Theft

PERRIS, CA — A 73-year-old convicted sex offender accused of carjacking a Perris woman must stand trial for auto theft and other charges, a judge ruled Thursday.

Terry Grant Chappell of Washington allegedly perpetrated the offenses in 2023.

Following a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Thursday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gary Polk found there was sufficient evidence to bound Chappell over for trial on the vehicle theft count, carjacking, possession of a stolen vehicle and failing to register as a convicted sex offender with local law enforcement.

The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for July 31. The defendant remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Dave Tinker, shortly before 4 p.m. June 20, 2023, Chappell confronted a woman getting into her vehicle near the intersection of Nuevo Road and Pico Avenue.

He brandished a handgun at the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, and demanded the keys to her car, which she surrendered, Tinker alleged.

"The suspect drove away in the victim's vehicle, leaving her at the side of the road," the sergeant said.

He said the woman was able to make her way to the sheriff's Perris station less than five miles away and file a report, after which deputies began looking for the stolen car.

Two days later, a patrol unit received a LoJack alert that the car was in the area of Highway 74 and Pico in Nuevo, prompting them to search the location, culminating in a traffic stop in the 23000 block of Pico.

Tinker said Chappell was taken into custody without incident.

"A records check revealed Chappell was a sex registrant out of Washington, and he was in violation for failing to register with local authorities," the sergeant said.

Under California Penal Code section 290, documented sex offenders are required to notify law enforcement in local jurisdictions when and exactly where they have established residency. The law also prohibits an offender from having contact with minors, other than relatives, as well as imposing other restrictions.

Court records show Chappell has prior convictions in Riverside County for burglary and, in 2015, failing to register as a sex offender. He has served time in state prison.