News Details

Man arrested in Christmas night carjacking

A 28-year-old man was arrested on Christmas night after he stole a car in downtown Mountain View that had two children inside. 

Around 7:30 pm on Dec. 25, a woman called Mountain View dispatch to report that her Toyota sedan had been stolen from the area of Dana and Castro streets. She notified dispatchers that she had parked and run quickly into a store to retrieve some food while two of her young family members – a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old – had stayed in the car. As she was in the grocery store, a man later identified as Francisco Reynoso (who had been inside the same grocery store as the victim) got into the Toyota and began to drive away, causing the girls in the back seat to scream. Reynoso allegedly told both the girls to leave the car, which they did, and he drove away. 

Responding officers were able to track the car and located it in Palo Alto and conducted a high-risk car stop on Wilton Avenue and Orinda Street. No one was injured, and Reynoso was detained without incident. He was subsequently arrested for several outstanding warrants, carjacking, felony child endangerment and kidnapping. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. 

“I am very proud of the quick work of our dispatchers and our patrol teams last night, and I am grateful no one was hurt in this incident,” said Captain Scott Nelson. “Kudos to all who helped peacefully resolve this scary situation so quickly.”

Media interviews can be sent to PIO Katie Nelson at policepio@mountainview.gov.