On November 11, two males carjacked a person at knife point in Oceanside and stole a Subaru Forester. Later in the evening, at 10:15 p.m., an unrelated motorist in Escondido called 9-1-1 to report the driver of the Subaru was swerving and was possibly driving under the influence of alcohol. While on the 9-1-1 call and before police were dispatched, the witness saw the Subaru run the red light at Fig Street and Valley Parkway and collide with a Toyota pick-up truck.
Escondido Fire Paramedics provided medical aid at the scene for multiple patients. Traffic investigators from the Escondido Police Department responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. Based on witness statements and evidence located at the scene, the driver of the Toyota truck was ejected from his vehicle and sustained life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center for medical treatment. After colliding with the truck, the Subaru collided into Frida’s Tacos at 675 E. Valley Parkway, a corner business at the intersection. Frida’s Tacos was occupied but there were no reported injuries to customers or staff.
At the time of the collision the stolen Subaru was occupied by six people. Two adult males, two adult females and two young children ages three and five. Hans Velasquez, a 20- year-old male Oceanside resident, was identified as the driver and was arrested a short distance away after fleeing from the collision on foot. Velasquez was arrested for carjacking, felony driving under the influence of alcohol, felony hit-and-run and felony child endangerment.
Anthony Quezada, a 19-year-old male resident of Escondido, also fled the scene on foot and was arrested and charged with carjacking. The two adult females in the vehicle were transported to area hospitals for minor injuries. The two children were transported to Rady Children’s Hospital and have minor injuries.
The investigation is on-going, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Adan Martinez at 760-839-4465.
Oceanside Police Department is conducting the investigation of the carjacking.
Follow the Escondido Police Department on social media @EscondidoPolice.
To report any suspicious activities in your neighborhood, you may contact the Police Department directly, or you may make an unidentified call on our “Anonymous Tip Line” at 760-743-TIPS (8477) or via our Web site at police.escondido.org.
