OXNARD : Pair Held, Woman Sought in Carjack

Oxnard police arrested two men they say robbed a motorist and stole his car early Sunday after the driver slowed to avoid hitting the robbers’ female accomplice.

Pedro Reyes, 36, of Oxnard told police that two men and a woman approached him near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and C Street about 3 a.m. Sunday, demanding money.

When Reyes protested, one of the men pulled him from the car and both men began beating him, police said. The woman allegedly reached into Reyes’ pocket and stole $300 cash.

Reyes was left unconscious on the sidewalk. He regained consciousness two hours later, walked home and called authorities.

An Oxnard police officer spotted the 1978 Ford Granada several hours later and arrested the two men after a short chase, but the woman escaped on foot, police said.

Brandon Coronado, 24, and Michael Dana Austell, 42, both of Oxnard, were arrested near Juniper and J streets on suspicion of robbery and carjacking.

Both men were booked at Ventura County Jail. Police are still looking for the woman, described as about 23 years old and weighing about 120 pounds.