Carjacking Suspect Charged Again In Coachella Valley

INDIO, CA — An armed carjacker is facing felony charges after he took a ride from Mecca to Indio and then threatened to shoot the driver if he did not hand over the car, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Alexis Israel Lizarraga, 35, of Mecca is charged with carjacking, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, and driving without a license. He pleaded not guilty to all counts and is now scheduled for a Feb. 26 felony settlement conference.

According to the DA's office, the investigation into Lizarraga began Jan. 30 when the driver filed a report with Indio police. The victim told investigators he offered Lizarraga a ride from Mecca to Indio.

Once at the destination, Lizarraga threatened to shoot the driver if he didn’t hand give him his Nissan Sentra. The victim got out of the car and Lizarraga drove away.

The victim identified Lizarraga as the suspect but it's unclear if he knew him.

The morning after the alleged carjacking, the stolen Nissan was found abandoned in Mecca, according to the DA's office. A search warrant was served at Lizarraga’s home and he was arrested Jan. 31.

When Lizarraga allegedly committed the carjacking, he was out of custody for another alleged vehicle theft that occurred in December. He was charged in that case, which also included a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Lizarraga remains jailed at Indio's John Benoit Detention Center with bail set at $80,000.