A 42-year-old parolee suspected of attempting to carjack several vehicles and beating a man during a home invasion in Riverside was in custody Tuesday.
Ronald Rafeek Legardy Jr. was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center Friday, according to Officer Ryan J. Railsback, the Riverside Police Department’s public information officer. He is being held without bail.
Legardy approached a woman driver whose car was stopped, brandished a firearm, then carjacked the vehicle and kidnapped her at gunpoint, Railsback said.
Legardy forced the woman to drive off, then after circling the area, she managed to escape while Legardy still had control of her vehicle, Railsback said.
“About 40 minutes later while officers were conducting their investigation, our city of Riverside’s Public Safety Communications Center received a call regarding a person matching the carjacking suspect’s description knocking on doors in the 5900 block of Meadowbrook Lane,” Railsback said.
Officers arrived to the home of an man who was badly beaten, shoved inside a closet, and “concealed underneath a pile of clothing,” Railsback said.
Legardy was also found at the home and arrested. The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries to his upper body and head, Railsback said.
The victim was released over the weekend, Railsback said. The carjacking victim was not arrested.
The weapon used in the carjacking was found at the home and determined to be a pellet gun resembling a Glock-style pistol, Railsback said.
The carjacked vehicle was found outside Legardy’s home along the street, Railsback said.
Anyone with additional information about the carjacking or home invasion is encouraged to contact Detective Bryan Galbreath at 951-353-7105 or [email protected], or Sgt. Darrell Hill at 951-353-7107 or [email protected]
Those who to prefer to remain anonymous can email [email protected], or download and use the Riverside Police Department’s ”Atlas 1” mobile app.
