Passenger Trains > Carjacking at MTZ Amtrak; Amtrak had issued refund to the suspect

Two injured in carjacking at Martinez Amtrak station

The suspect was tracked to Walnut Creek and arrested on charges including elder abuse and possession of stolen property

 A 24-year-old woman was arrested in connection with a carjacking that left two people injured at an Amtrak station in Martinez, according to authorities. The incident happened around 7:20 a.m. Friday at the station located at 601 Marina Vista Ave. 

One of the victims was arranging luggage in the backseat of her parked car when the suspect “forcefully took possession” of the vehicle, police Sgt. Rodney Brinser said in a news release. The suspect ran over the victim’s foot, according to Brinser. A second victim, an elderly female, was forced out of the moving car and dragged until she could free herself, he added.  The victims were taken to an area hospital with unspecified injuries. 

The suspect was tracked to Walnut Creek and arrested around 9:15 a.m., Brinser said. She was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on charges including carjacking, possession of stolen property, aggravated elder abuse and resisting arrest. 

Jail records showed the suspect remained in custody Friday night on $240,000 bail. 

An officer suffered minor injuries during the suspect’s arrest, according to Brinser. 

Roughly 35 minutes before the carjacking was reported, the suspect was involved in a disturbance at the station, Brinser said. That incident ended in Amtrak issuing her a refund. 

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/10/25/two-injured-in-carjacking-friday-at-martinez-amtrak-station/



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/27/24 01:24 by GenePoon.

If you force somebody out of a moving car shouldn't that be seen as attempted murder?

mkancle Wrote:
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> If you force somebody out of a moving car
> shouldn't that be seen as attempted murder?

Charges are often upgraded after an investigation, review of nearby ring video, etc.

Posted from Android

 What a way to celebrate her 24th birthday, which was yesterday as well. I personally would have chosen to go to Denny's for my free birthday meal.

Thanks Gene for bringing these incidents to our attention. Living out of the Bay Area, 
I prob wouldn't have seen this story. I worked various Amtk trains many times at MTZ.
Used to be a totally safe location. 
 

There's a Federal carjacking statute: 18 USC 2119, which may apply in this case if the suspect was charged  by a
Federal Court. Per the law: intent by the suspect would have to be proven that the suspect was going to injure the victims.



 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/27/24 10:39 by Heath_Tower.

Very sorry to hear this news. Glad that the perpetrator was caught. I was just in Martinez railfanning at the station this month. Hope that the victims recover.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/27/24 10:21 by Passfanatic.

Last time I was there, there were a few sketcy people.  I eye them pretty good--they see they're being watched--usually makes them leave, or move on.  Can't stand them.

More drug addiction/mental illness, as usual. 

I have to say that when I was at Martinez Station last week, I did see some sketchy people. I just kept my distance from them.

Ironically, the jail in Martinez is about two blocks from the station, more or less.  At $240,000 bail, that's a pretty expensive  roundtrip to Walnut Creek and back, but totally deserved.

Let's see...wanted to go someplace on the train.  Got into a dispute with Amtrak personnel who issued her a refund. Did she miss her train, then give up and try to make her own way home by hook or by (ultimately) crook?

mkancle Wrote:
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> If you force somebody out of a moving car
> shouldn't that be seen as attempted murder?

It definitely needs to be upgraded and looked into - forcing someone out of the car, running over the one passenger's foot, and then continuing to drive off while a passenger is being dragged along. Horrible. Just so sad.......

Was the MTZ Amtrak station ever a nice place?

Absolutely and it’s still fine. However, you just have to be aware of your surroundings.

Posted from iPhone

Passfanatic Wrote:
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> Absolutely and it’s still fine. However, you
> just have to be aware of your surroundings.
>
> Posted from iPhone


Just like many other places next to the tracks.....

Passfanatic Wrote:
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> Absolutely and it’s still fine.


If it’s ‘fine’ then why haven’t they opened the pedestrian bridge yet?
🤔