14-year-old arrested in series of attempted Livermore carjackings

LIVERMORE — A 14-year-old boy suspected in a series of attempted carjackings was arrested at his school Thursday, police said.

Police said the series of incidents began March 12.

A man in a downtown parking structure near South Livermore and Railroad avenues told police he was approached by a suspect who threatened to harm him if the man did not give him his car. The suspect placed his hand in his pocket to simulate a gun but the man drove off as the suspect kicked his vehicle, police said.

On March 16, police received four more reports of similar attempted carjackings by a suspect with the same description as the person in the March 12 incident. It was not clear Friday if the attempts happened in the same parking structure or elsewhere in the city.

The suspect, a Livermore resident, was identified through video surveillance and witness statements by the department’s Crime Prevention Unit.

He was arrested at his school without incident Thursday and taken to juvenile hall in San Leandro, where he was booked on multiple counts of attempted carjacking, attempted robbery and making criminal threats, police said.

It was not immediately known Friday if he remained in custody or had been formally charged.

The police investigation is continuing. Anyone with information may call the Livermore police anonymous tip line at 925-371-4790.

Check back for updates on this developing story.