Interstate Armed Carjacking Suspect Pleads Not Guilty In Indio Court

INDIO, CA — A 28-year-old man suspected of committing an armed carjacking in Phoenix and driving into Blythe pleaded not guilty to felony charges Monday.

Lenny Brian Vanhorenbeeck of Mesa, Arizona, was charged in Riverside County with one felony count each of receiving a stolen vehicle, being a convicted felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm, and possessing ammunition, according to court records. He additionally faces a sentence- enhancing allegation of being armed with a firearm.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the allegation Monday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. He's set to make another court appearance Tuesday at the Blythe Courthouse.

Deputies with the Colorado River sheriff's station received a tip Aug. 10 about a car that was stolen during an armed carjacking in Phoenix, according to Sgt. Ed Reynoso of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The stolen vehicle was traveling toward Blythe with a suspect who was considered armed and dangerous.

Deputies saw the vehicle enter Blythe at 8:05 a.m. that day, stopped it, and arrested Vanhorenbeeck, who was allegedly driving, Reynoso said. A shotgun that was allegedly leaning on the passenger side of the center console inside of the vehicle was also recovered.

Vanhorenbeeck was subsequently booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio, where he remains held without bail.

Personnel from the Colorado River Station are working with the Mesa Police Department and Phoenix Police Department on additional criminal charges being sought in Arizona related to the case, Reynoso said.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department encouraged anyone with information regarding this case to call Deputy Ritchie at 760-921-7900.