Man accused in East Bay crime spree involving carjacking, attempted burglary
WALNUT CREEK — A man who allegedly attempted to rob a Walnut Creek homeowner and carjack a vehicle before successfully carjacking a second vehicle and then stealing a third during an East Bay crime spree was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Pleasant Hill, authorities said.
The crime spree allegedly began on Birch Drive with a failed carjacking attempt around 1: 30 p.m. Witnesses said the man also tried to rob a homeowner, and residents ended up chasing the man out of the neighborhood.
He then reportedly carjacked someone on Treat Boulevard, near Jones Road and Cherry Lane, and left the area in a Toyota Corolla.
Police said they received a report of the Corolla being abandoned on West Holly Drive in Walnut Creek and of a landscaper's van being taken from the area. Police agencies from around Contra Costa County began searching for the white van, and it was later spotted in Pleasant Hill around 3 p.m..
He was spotted trying to break into a home on West Hookston Road, police said. Pleasant Hill police and Contra Costa deputies at the scene then arrested him.
Police said he could face numerous felony charges.
