Carjacker Held After Firing at Police

A San Fernando man suspected of stealing a firearm was arrested after he exchanged gunfire with police and carjacked a vehicle with a mother and her son inside, authorities said Wednesday.

Gabriel Ruiz, 32, surrendered to police at a North Hollywood apartment complex Tuesday night and was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, carjacking and kidnapping, said San Fernando Police Sgt. Mike Langston. He is being held at County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

The chain of events began about 7:30 p.m. when San Fernando police officers spotted Ruiz--wanted on a weapons charge--riding as a passenger in a vehicle with two women. When the car stopped in a parking lot in the 13100 block of Foothill Boulevard, Ruiz saw the officers and allegedly drew his handgun, Langston said.

Gunfire erupted and Ruiz ran into the street, where he forcibly entered a car carrying a 30-year-old woman and her young son, police said. Ruiz ordered the woman to drive and she complied, police said.

Police chased the carjacked vehicle on several different freeways before the car left the 170 Freeway and drove to Sherman Way in North Hollywood. Ruiz jumped out of the vehicle and ran into an apartment complex in the 13000 block of Sherman Way.

He tried to enter several units but wasn’t successful. After banging on one door, he dropped his gun, walked outside to the street and surrendered to police, Langston said.

The driver and her son were not injured, Langston said. He also said the two women Ruiz was riding with before the chase began were questioned and released.