2 Teens Arrested in Carjacking of Man Taking Out Trash on Parks Avenue

La Mesa police arrested two teenagers Wednesday afternoon in the robbery and carjacking case of a Parks Avenue man who was taking out the trash.

San Diego’s Torrance Lanelle Young, 18, was held on robbery and vehicle theft charges and El Cajon’s Kevin Louis Ball Jr., 19, was arrested on a charge of vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, say jail records.

The 67-year-old man was carjacked at gunpoint Sunday, Jan. 15, after he drove to the rear of an apartment complex to take out the trash, according to La Mesa police.

The man was approached by the suspect around 11 a.m. after he threw away a load of garbage into a bin behind apartments in the 4800 block of Parks Avenue, according to police.

The suspect pointed a handgun at the man and demanded he turn over his belongings, according to police. The man also gave the suspect his wallet.

“The victim’s 2005 Hyundai Elantra was driven from the scene by the 18-19 year-old suspect,” said police Lt. Matt Nicholass.  “The victim was not injured.”

About 3:30 p.m. Wednesday,  the victim’s vehicle was found on Fairmont Avenue in San Diego by patrol officers from the San Diego Police Department.

“Three occupants were taken into custody,” Nicholass said.  “The San Diego Police Department contacted La Mesa Police and La Mesa Police Detective Dale Perry interviewed the suspects.”

After the investigation, detectives arrested Young and Ball, who were booked into San Diego downtown jail at 8:46 p.m. and are set for arraignment at San Diego Superior Court at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Young is being held on $100,000 bail and Ball has a bail of $25,000.