A 15-year-old Porterville boy was arrested on Monday after the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said he carjacked and assaulted a 71-year-old man in Farmersville.

Deputies responded at approximately 10:30 a.m. to a call on the 28900 Block of Road 168, where the elderly victim reported that he had been approached by the teenager while working in the area.

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The victim had offered the teen a ride, but the situation escalated when the teen pulled out a hammer and demanded the victim’s cell phone and car keys.

After obtaining the keys, the teenager pushed the man to the ground and fled in his vehicle toward Farmersville.

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Deputies later found the stolen car abandoned near a canal bank with the suspect nearby.

The teenager, who initially resisted arrest, was taken into custody. Deputies learned that he was a runaway from the Porterville area.

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The teen suspect faces multiple charges, including robbery, carjacking, elder abuse, and resisting arrest.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact Sgt. John Nicholson or Detective Michael McCaskill at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously via text at (559) 725-4194 or by email at tcso@tipnow.com.