Executive Summary
- A 16-year-old was arrested for allegedly carjacking an Uber driver in Valley Center.
- Police recovered an unserialized 9mm “ghost gun” allegedly used in the crime.
- San Pasqual Tribal Police assisted in locating the stolen vehicle on Kuttap Way.
- The suspect was booked into Juvenile Hall after positive identification by the victim.
A 16-year-old juvenile was arrested late Monday in Valley Center on suspicion of carjacking an Uber driver at gunpoint using an unserialized firearm, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The incident, which involved the alleged use of a so-called “ghost gun,” resulted in the suspect being booked into Juvenile Hall.
According to Sheriff’s Sergeant Evan Sobczak, the confrontation occurred at approximately 10 p.m. on Eagle Way. Investigators state that the suspect utilized the Uber mobile application to request a ride to that specific location. Upon the driver’s arrival, the male suspect reportedly produced an unserialized 9mm handgun, pointed the weapon at the driver, and forced him to exit the vehicle.
Sergeant Sobczak reported that the suspect subsequently fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. With the assistance of officers from the San Pasqual Tribal Police Department, deputies located the stolen vehicle unoccupied on nearby Kuttap Way a short time later.
Following a search of the area, deputies detained an individual matching the suspect’s description outside a nearby residence. Sergeant Sobczak confirmed that the victim positively identified the juvenile as the perpetrator. The teenager was taken into custody on suspicion of carjacking and possession of an unserialized firearm.
Investigative Outlook
This incident underscores the ongoing operational challenges law enforcement faces regarding unserialized firearms, often termed “ghost guns,” which lack serial numbers and are difficult to trace in criminal investigations. Additionally, the case highlights the specific security vulnerabilities present within the gig economy, where ride-share drivers are summoned to specific locations by unknown individuals. It is important to note that all individuals, including juveniles, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
