Second suspect arrested in connection with carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping at La Sierra Metrolink station

News headline from the Riverside Police Department:

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the carjacking, kidnapping, and robbery of a college student as he arrived at the La Sierra Metrolink station in January.

On January 24at 5:40 p.m., a 19-year-old college student was returning to Riverside from Fullerton on the Metrolink train. As he got to his vehicle in the Metrolink parking lot, he was approached by two young men.

One of the suspects produced a knife and they forced the victim into his vehicle and drove away.

The suspects threatened the victim with the knife if he did not give them his ATM card and access number. When they stopped at the Bank of America at Tyler Street and Magnolia Avenue, the victim managed to flee from the vehicle after providing them with his ATM card.

The suspects chased the victim, but he was able to hide in a nearby store where police were notified.

The vehicle was found abandoned several hours later in the 4300 block of La Sierra Avenue, but the suspects were not located that evening.

Detectives later learned the victim’s ATM card was used at another bank in the area where the truck was recovered.

On February 1, detectives arrested the first suspect, Cory Christian (also known as Cory Dowell), 22 (pictured above right), of Riverside for the robbery and kidnapping.

Detectives continued their investigation and were able to identify the second suspect, Vincente Avila, 20 (pictured below right), of Riverside.

On March 1, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Avila with Carjacking, Kidnapping with intent to commit robbery, and Robbery.

On March 6 shortly after 2:00 p.m., Vincente Avila was found walking in the 11400 block of Doverwood Circle in the La Sierra area of Riverside. He was arrested without incident.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Jim Simons at 951-353-7138 or Detective Mike Medici at 951-353-7104.

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