A Los Angeles man has been arrested for his alleged role in a series of armed carjackings that took place over three weeks across L.A. County.
Sergio Macias, 22, surrendered to federal agents Wednesday and now joins three co-defendants facing charges for the crime spree. Macias was expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities had already arrested the other three suspects, identified as Michael Anthony Fisher, 23, of Bell; Andres Silva Cerrillos, 19, of Buena Park; and Jesse Gutierrez, 19, of Los Angeles.
Macias allegedly took part in five vehicle thefts during the three-week crime spree late last year, according to the United States Department of Justice.
The four men now face charges for conspiracy, in addition to carjacking, attempted carjacking and interference with commerce by robbery. They also face charges for various firearms-related crimes, as many of the carjackings happened at gunpoint.
The crimes took place between Nov. 15 and Dec. 9, 2023, and involved successful and unsuccessful vehicle thefts in Downey, Pico Rivera, Norwalk and Whittier, the DOJ said.
Cerrillos and Gutierrez also allegedly stole two large televisions from a Walmart in South Gate and threatened a store employee as they fled.
“Violent gun crime tears at the fabric of our community and leaves victims with lasting trauma,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a news release issued Wednesday. “These arrests and this indictment highlight my office’s determination to use our powerful federal laws to punish those who callously risk the lives of others.”
If convicted as charged, the four men could face between seven and 25 years in federal prison, the DOJ said.
The case remains under investigation by the Downey Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.