Undocumented Man Who Assaulted, Carjacked OC Woman Arrested, DOJ Says

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A twice-deported man from Mexico was federally charged with carjacking a restaurant employee in Orange County last month, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

Fullerton resident Miguel Abrajan-Morales, 30 was charged in a federal criminal complaint with carjacking.

He is also charged in a separate federal criminal complaint with being undocumented in the United States following deportation or removal.

Abrajan-Morales is currently in state custody at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange, authorities said.

According to the federal complaint, on Feb. 27 two restaurant employees were leaving work in Placentia when one victim — later identified as Abrajan-Morales's ex — walked to her Ford Bronco and sat in the driver's seat.

Unexpectedly, Abrajan-Morales opened and entered the car's front passenger seat before striking her in the face several times, the complaint said.

The victim fled from her car through the driver's door and left the vehicle running on foot.

The victim's coworker was entering his vehicle and saw the assault, police said. He then ran toward the victim's vehicle and began fighting Abrajan-Morales.

After the fight, the suspect stole the victim's Ford Bronco and drove away — nearly striking both employees with the car while he exited the parking lot.

He was arrested on March 1 in Ontario, police said.

If convicted, Abrajan-Morales would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison on the carjacking charge and up to two years in federal prison on the illegal reentry charge.