Gunman Who Carjacked BMW Convicted

SAN FRANCISCO — A 23-year-old man was found guilty of participating in a carjacking in San Francisco in April 2022, according to prosecutors.

Jose Guevara-Espinoza was convicted of carjacking with an allegation that he personally used a firearm in the commission of this crime found true, and one count of robbery with an allegation that he personally used a firearm in the commission of this crime, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' office said in a statement Thursday.

Based on evidence and testimony presented at trial, Guevara-Espinoza and an accomplice approached someone whose car was parked in the 3700 block of Fillmore Street and demanded his car keys on April 16, 2022. According to the victim, Guevara-Espinoza and his accomplice drew their guns, which reportedly had extended magazines and lasers.

The victim gave them his wallet and car keys to his 2018 BMW. One of the armed men then ran to the BMW and, at gunpoint, forced out the victim's friend, who was waiting for him. The armed men then fled.

Authorities said the victim was able to track his car being driven toward Oakland via an Air-Tag tracking device on his keys and through the BMW mobile app. Dash camera video showed that around 30 minutes later, Guevara-Espinoza drove the victim's BMW in Oakland and swapped out the license plates with a parked car.

Oakland police officers were able to find the victim's BMW later that night with Guevara-Espinoza's sweatshirt left inside. According to authorities, a search warrant executed at his residence later revealed the same pants and shoes he was seen wearing in the dash camera video and a firearm with a laser.

Prosecutors said that just six hours before the carjacking on Fillmore Street, Guevara-Espinoza and the same accomplice were seen on video taking a vehicle from another individual at gunpoint in Berkeley. Both armed men wore the same clothes as they were seen wearing in the dash camera video.

Authorities said that on April 25, 2022, Guevara-Espinoza and two others accosted another individual at gunpoint for his vehicle in Daly City. That vehicle was reportedly found at Guevara-Espinoza's residence.

"I want to thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence in this case and returning a just verdict that holds Mr. Guevara-Espinoza accountable for his actions," Assistant District Attorney Angela Roze said in a statement. "This verdict sends a message that violent crime will not be tolerated in our city."

Guevara-Espinoza, who is in custody, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2.

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