Man arrested in Hemet after attempted carjacking and fighting with officers

February 24, 2016 Trevor Montgomery

Trevor Montgomery

HEMET – Officers arrested a San Diego man on Tuesday, Feb. 23rd, after he attempted to steal a vehicle from an auto dealership and then tried to carjack at least one or more vehicles that were stopped at a light, at the intersection of West Florida and Cawston Avenues. The suspect then allegedly attacked and fought with responding officers and later tried to attack a nurse.

The City of Hemet emergency communications center received several calls about a suspect who was attempting to carjack passing vehicles in the 4100 block of W. Florida Ave. just before 2:00 p.m. Multiple callers reported the man was trying to get into vehicles that were stopped for the traffic signal.

Based on the information being provided by terrified motorists, officers rushed to the area to assist. Officers located the man, who was later identified as Antwione Ewing, 24, in the 4100 block of W. Florida Ave.

Ewing refused to comply with the officers’ commands and he began to fight with the officers as they attempted to detain him. Responding officers managed to detain Ewing, however he reportedly continued to fight with and kick at the officers as they walked him to their vehicle.

Once officers had Ewing detained, they conducted an investigation into the man’s erratic behavior and dangerous actions. The officers’ investigation revealed that Ewing first forcefully stole a set of keys from a car dealership in the 4100 block of W. Florida Ave., trying to steal a car from the dealership. When Ewing was unable to find the vehicle the keys belonged to, he then attempted to carjack a car from a female victim who had stopped for the red light. Despite his efforts, Ewing was unable to get into the victim’s vehicle, due to her doors being locked.

Ewing was later positively identified as the suspect by both of the victims. Neither of the victims were injured during the incidents, according to Hemet Police officials.

Based on their investigation, officers arrested Ewing for robbery, attempted carjacking and resisting arrest.

Officers transported Ewing to a local hospital for medical clearance, where he again fought with the officers escorting him and later attempted to assault a nurse attempting to provide him medical treatment.

After being medically cleared, Ewing was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he is being held in lieu of $60,000 bail. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 25, at 8 a.m.

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