79-year-old motorist dies in Norco carjacking

Introduction to the Incident

A 79-year-old motorist carjacked near downtown Norco on Monday was fatally injured when the perpetrator dragged the victim while making his getaway, authorities said.
The deadly carjacking was reported at about 12:20 p.m. Monday at the ARCO gas station at 675 Hidden Valley Parkway, less than a mile east of the 15 Freeway, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The agency said witnesses observed a man forcibly taking the victim’s silver SUV, jumping into the driver’s seat and speeding away on the four-lane corridor with “the vehicle owner partially inside the rear seat.”
“The victim was dragged and ejected from the vehicle,” according to a sheriff’s statement.

Broadcast reports said the victim was vacuuming his SUV behind the passenger seat when the thief drove the vehicle away.

Investigation and Arrest

During the investigation, officers from the Corona Police Department told deputies from the sheriff’s Norco station that they located a man suffering from traumatic injuries consistent with being ejected from a vehicle. James Norman of Corona was located on Hidden Valley Parkway east of the initial incident and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives found the victim’s unoccupied SUV near Polk Street and Magnolia Avenue in Riverside. Investigators began working with the Riverside Police Department and eventually detained 29-year-old Ryan Hewitt of Corona near Magnolia and Tyler Street.
Hewitt was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of carjacking and murder.
Sheriff’s officials said no additional suspects were believed to be involved.

Case Details

The incident occurred on Monday, and by the evening, authorities had already apprehended a suspect and were proceeding with the investigation.
The carjacking and subsequent events led to the death of the 79-year-old victim, James Norman, who suffered traumatic injuries from being dragged by the vehicle.
The suspect, Ryan Hewitt, is facing serious charges, including carjacking and murder.

Conclusion

The carjacking incident in Norco resulted in the tragic death of a 79-year-old man, highlighting the dangers of such crimes. The swift action by law enforcement led to the arrest of a suspect, bringing some closure to the case. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures to prevent such incidents.

FAQs

1. Where did the carjacking incident occur?
   • The incident occurred at the ARCO gas station at 675 Hidden Valley Parkway, near downtown Norco.
2. What were the circumstances of the carjacking?
   • The victim was vacuuming his SUV when the thief drove the vehicle away, dragging the victim who was partially inside the rear seat.
3. Who was arrested in connection with the incident?
   • Ryan Hewitt, a 29-year-old from Corona, was arrested and booked on suspicion of carjacking and murder.
4. What was the outcome for the victim?
   • The 79-year-old victim, James Norman, suffered traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
5. Is the investigation ongoing?
   • The case details indicate that the suspect has been apprehended, and no additional suspects are believed to be involved, but the exact status of the investigation is not specified.
     Originally Published: May 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM PDT