SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 33-year-old Fresno man made his first appearance in federal court June 15 on charges of a carjacking that led to a police pursuit in Fullerton.
Deshawn Ricks was arrested Wednesday on a federal criminal complaint. He was ordered detained Thursday and scheduled for arraignment on July 3.
Police were dispatched to the carjacking just before 2:40 p.m. Wednesday in a parking structure at 122 E. Wilshire Ave., between Harbor Boulevard and Pomona Avenue, according to Fullerton police.
The victim told police she was sitting in her car when Ricks opened the door and ordered her to get out. When she refused, he used what she thought was a “shank” pressed against her back to threaten her again to get out “or I'll stab you,” police alleged. Ricks “grabbed the victim by her body and hair, and he forcibly pulled her out of the vehicle.”
Before he drove away, the victim grabbed her purse out of the car and then went to get help, police said.
Ricks allegedly began driving the stolen 2022 Mazda CX5 toward her and she said she had to jump out of the way before he fled, police said.
Police located the stolen vehicle at 2:49 p.m. and tried to stop the driver, but he refused, starting the pursuit, police said.
The suspect led police on a high-speed pursuit through the city that included veering into oncoming traffic, speeding, flashing through red lights, and striking a marked police vehicle, police alleged.
Ricks lost control of the vehicle, which was disabled by a squad car, ending the pursuit on wheels, police said. Ricks attempted to run away, but was quickly caught, police said. Officers found a foot-long metal stake-type object in the stolen vehicle.
Ricks has a criminal history that includes arrests for burglary, domestic violence, false imprisonment, pimping, threats, and possession of drugs for sale, police said. He was wanted for failing to appear for an arraignment in Fresno County in April for threats with intent to terrorize and exhibit a deadly weapon.
