Irvine Carjacking Attempt Capped by Man’s Arrest

A San Bernardino County man was arrested after an unsuccessful carjacking Saturday in Irvine in which the victim was struck with a metal dent-puller.

Dominic Avila, 36, of Los Angeles was sitting in his car in the 8600 block of Irvine Center Drive about 3:50 p.m. when McKinley Richardson, 35, of Oak Hills, demanded the car, said Irvine Sgt. Wally Prestidge.

Avila refused, and in a struggle over the keys, Richardson allegedly struck him several times in the head. Avila was treated and released at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

Witnesses who heard Avila yell chased Richardson and later pointed him out to police, Prestidge said. Richardson was booked at Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted carjacking, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.