Fresno Man Arrested In Lane County For I-5 Carjacking, Police Say

EUGENE, OR — A man from Fresno, California, was arrested Sunday for an alleged car-jacking on Interstate-5 near milepost 194, south of Eugene in Lane County.

Jose Arnulfo Alvarenga Torres, 42, was taken to the Lane County Jail on charges of robbery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and attempt to commit a crime.

Around 5 p.m. Oct. 1, Torres allegedly crashed into a woman driving a red BMW, forcing her off I-5. Exiting his own vehicle, Torres then reportedly grabbed the woman and physically pulled her from her car. Police say she was able to get away from Torres with her car keys.

A second driver in a 2009 Toyota Corolla reportedly stopped her vehicle near the scene, thinking there had been an accident, before she was also assaulted by Torres, who allegedly grabbed her by the throat. Police say the second driver was able to fight back, though Torres still took control of her car.

A third driver who also stopped to help tried to prevent Torres from stealing the Corolla but was nearly ran over as Torres got away.

Lane County Sheriff's deputies caught up to Torres on Highway 58 near milepost 8 and reportedly took him into custody without further incident.

The victims in the case, police said, received only minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

Patch has reached out to the Oregon State Police and will update this post if they respond.

Photo Courtesy: Lane County Sheriff's Office