CHULA VISTA – First, the carjacking failed.
Then, the carjackers apparently got into a food fight over the botched crime.
After that, prosecutors say, a 15-year-old girl who was along for the ride was run down by one of the carjackers, whom she had been teasing about the incident.
Those are but some of the elements of a Sept. 1 crime spree that investigators are still piecing together.
So far, three men face criminal charges in connection with the chain of events.
Louie E. Echaves, 19, is charged with carjacking, car theft, attempted murder causing great bodily injury, using a car as a deadly weapon and possession of a gun by a convicted felon.
He has convictions for car theft and drug possession in unrelated cases, according to court records.
Alfonso Garcia Beltran, 22, and Guillermo Contreras, 19, are charged with carjacking and car theft.
Prosecutors allege that the three were acting as members of a criminal street gang involved in car thefts, which could add to their punishment if they are convicted.
Police are also searching for a woman they say was involved.
The men pleaded not guilty in Superior Court recently and face a Dec. 16 hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a trial.
Echaves is being held in jail in lieu of $750,000 bail. Beltran is in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail, and Contreras is in jail in lieu of $110,000 bail.
Prosecutor Minaz Bhayani said in an interview that investigators have determined that the three men, a woman and the 15-year-old girl were driving in a stolen truck through South Bay neighborhoods about 5 a.m. Sept. 1 "looking to steal cars."
Bhayani said they saw a newspaper delivery man get out of a white 1989 Toyota Camry at a Spring Valley condominium complex and leave the engine running.
Echaves told the others he could steal the car but the 15-year-old girl teased him about it, the prosecutor said.
Bhayani said Echaves took the teasing "as if his manhood has been challenged," got out of the truck, ran to the Toyota and jumped into the driver's seat.
The delivery man saw what was happening, ran to his car, and jumped in feet first, kicking Echaves, Bhayani said.
Echaves drove the Toyota about a block, with the delivery man kicking him, then jumped out of the car and ran back into the stolen truck, Bhayani said.
Echaves and his companions then drove to a convenience store, where the girl hurled cinnamon buns at Echaves, Bhayani said. They then drove to National City where Echaves' companions told him to leave because of the botched carjacking, the prosecutor said.
Minutes later, Echaves returned driving a different stolen car and exchanged insulting hand gestures with his former companions in the truck, Bhayani said.
Echaves then drove the stolen car at the 15-year-old girl, who was standing outside the truck, and rammed into her and the truck, crushing her legs, Bhayani said.
The girl suffered multiple fractures to her legs and may have permanent damage, the prosecutor said.
Ray Huard: (619) 542-4597; ray.huard@uniontrib.com
