Carjacking suspect linked to agriculture thefts arrested in Thermal

A 29-year-old Thermal man police say is suspected of a January carjacking and links to multiple agriculture thefts was arrested on Tuesday.

Thermal Station deputies responded to a report of a carjacking at gunpoint that occurred in the area of Harrison Street and Avenue 77th in Thermal on January 15, according to a news release.

The suspect fled the scene in the stolen utility truck. The vehicle was located and an extensive search was conducted to locate the suspect, but the search came up empty. The suspect was later identified as Sosafat Garcia, of Thermal.

After weeks of investigation and follow-ups on possible leads, deputies located Garcia on Tuesday walking in the area of Avenue 72 and Harrison Street in Thermal. Garcia was taken into custody without further incident with the help from the Coachella Community Action Team and the Coachella Valley Violent Gang Task Force.

Police say Garcia has been linked to multiple agricultural thefts in the Coachella Valley and was wanted for multiple felony warrants.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident should contact Agricultural Liaison Deputy Lorton at Thermal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 863-8990.