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A teenager stopped an attempted carjacking Monday night in West St. Paul. Police arrived on the scene to find the 17-year-old victim pinning the suspected carjacker to the ground. Marijuana may have been involved, which might explain the bizarre incident.
When & Where: The incident happened near the intersection of Oakdale and Roeller Avenues on Monday, August 14 just after 10 p.m.
Result: Police arrested the suspect, identified as Hector Gracia-Sainz, who is charged with attempted carjacking. A felony conviction has a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or a fine of $35,000.
What happened: The victim pulled over to make a phone call and Gracia-Sainz reportedly came out of the bushes and started asking questions.
- The situation escalated as Gracia-Sainz tried to climb through the passenger window of the victim’s car and take the keys. A fight over the car keys ensued, with the victim eventually throwing the keys into a witness’s car while Gracia-Sainz repeatedly asked, “Where are your keys?”
- The victim wrestled Gracia-Sainz to the ground, sustaining bites, punches, and hair pulling. Police noted the victim suffered multiple bruises and scratches, but nothing serious.
- A witness on the scene helped subdue the suspect and corroborated the victim’s story.
- Gracia-Sainz claimed his sister had been the victim of an attempted mugging earlier that day in South St. Paul and he was being vigilant.
- Police reported indications of marijuana usage by the suspect, which is now legal but might help explain what happened.
Crime context: While carjackings have become more prevalent across the Twin Cities metro, West St. Paul has only had one recent carjacking in 2021.
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