Vincent Solarez of Upland was found guilty by federal jury, along with three co-defendants, of carjacking a Bloomington repair shop owned by a couple in their 60s.
Solarez served as a lookout while Marcos Guerrero, of Glendora; Elijah Gafare, of West Covina; and Cinthia Leal, of Glendora, robbed the shop in the early morning of March 12, according to Special Agent Estevan Banuelos’ affidavit. The shop owners lived in the building, and were threatened with death if they called law enforcement, or refused to hand over their car. One of the defendants pistol-whipped the male owner, causing him to lose consciousness, according to the affidavit.
The defendants stole $12,500 in cash, the owners’ personal car and their recording system.
Law enforcement found the stolen car near Guerrero’s residence two weeks after the robbery, in Leal’s possession. Leal’s phone contained recordings of the front of the Bloomington shop, and the shop’s address was a recent input in her maps application.
While in jail, Guerrero discussed the robbery with Solarez over a recorded call. He threatened to retaliate against the shop owners and identified himself as a person found in surveillance footage, the affidavit said.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 21.
Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua Lee, Neil Thakor of the General Crimes Section, and Tritia Yuen of the Riverside Branch Office prosecuted.
David Reed defended.
California Central District Judge Jesus Bernal presided.
Read the affidavit here.
Case No. 5:24-mj-00277
