Suspected Arizona Carjacker Arrested in Las Vegas
- April 18, 2014
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 9:10 PM EDT
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (CBS5/AP) –A man accused of carjacking, assault and armed robbery in northern Arizona has been arrested in Nevada.Renee Cadriel, 32, of San Antonio, was arrested Monday in Las Vegas, Coconino County Sheriff’s officials said.
Cadriel allegedly was driving the car of a 60-year-old woman who reported it stolen April 9 at the Meteor Crater rest stop off Interstate 40.The woman was traveling from South Carolina to northern California when she stopped to use the rest room.
As she walked to the restroom, she noticed multiple vehicles in the parking lot and saw a number of people walking in the area, sheriff’s investigators said.
As she entered a stall of the restroom, she noticed she was the only person in the ladies room. While seated in the stall she was able to look through the space between the bottom of the door and the floor and observed a person’s shoes as they walked past, sheriff’s deputies said.
As the women walked out of the stall, she glanced behind her and saw that the stall door next to the one she had used was open and a man later identified as Cadriel was standing on the toilet, sheriff’s deputies said.
According to the victim, Cadriel had concealed his hand underneath his shirt and it appeared he was holding a firearm. Cadriel demanded the keys to her vehicle, approached her and punched her in the face. The blow knocked her to the floor of the bathroom, sheriff’s deputies said.
The suspect then forcibly took her keys, exited the bathroom and drove out of the rest area parking lot in the victim’s vehicle. A nationwide alert was broadcast detailing he victim’s vehicle and physical description of the suspect.
On Monday, a Las Vegas police patrol vehicle received a LoJack signal and the officer conducted a traffic stop. Cadriel was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.
The victim was shown a photo lineup and positively identified the suspect as the one who assaulted her at the rest stop. Las Vegas police say Cadriel is being held on a $100,000 bond pending extradition to Arizona. Coconino County sheriff’s officials said Cadriel is facing charges of assault, armed robbery and theft of means of transportation.
Las Vegas Metro detectives are assisting the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office with the case.
Copyright 2014 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.