Behind the Badge
A 41-year-old man who held a knife to a woman’s throat to steal her car was arrested Thursday by Westminster police.
Police on May 20 investigated a carjacking outside the Saigon City Supermarket at Brookhurst Street and McFadden Avenue.
The 50-year-old victim told police a suspect held her at knife-point then stole her car. Officers checked the area, but the suspect could not be found.
The suspect then returned to the market the next day with medication from the woman’s car looking for a refund, police said.
Employees recognized the man as the carjacker and reported the incident to an officer patrolling the area, but the suspect was again able to flee.
Officers obtained a surveillance photo of the suspect as part of their investigation, and the WPD crime analyst put out a crime bulletin on the man.
The man was identified by a Westminster detective as resident Jason Charles Petrilla.
Police arrived at Petrilla’s home on Thursday, May 28, where they found the victim’s car parked in the driveway.
Petrilla was arrested on suspicion of carjacking and was also found to have felony warrants out for his arrest, police said.
“This case was an excellent example of how an evasive suspect was ultimately apprehended through teamwork, communication and tenacity,” said Sgt. Eddie Esqueda.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Westminster police detectives at 714-548-3737. Anonymous tips can also be reported to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS; or visit their website at www.occrimestoppers.org.
