Alleged Glendale carjacker pleads not guilty

A 38-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he carjacked a 16-year-old girl at knifepoint on Tuesday in Glendale, officials said.

Andre Khanyan faces two felony counts of second-degree robbery and carjacking for the incident on the 1700 block of West Glenoaks Boulevard, according to a Los Angeles County Superior Court complaint. He also faces a special allegation of personal use of a weapon during the robbery.

He allegedly approached the girl as she sat in the passenger seat of a Nissan minivan at about 1:35 p.m., opened the door, pointed a knife and yelled “get out” several times, according to police reports.

The girl quickly exited the car and unstrapped her baby niece, who was inside the Nissan, before Khanyan took off. He led police on short pursuit on the Golden State (5) Freeway, where he was eventually stopped and arrested.

Khanyan, who is being held without bail, is on probation for forgery, witness intimidation and drug possession, police said.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Burbank on May 7 to set a date for a preliminary hearing.

ALSO:

Girl, baby niece escape carjacking at knife point

Woman’s purse stolen on Brand contained green card, pay checks

Tow truck driver released on bond after pursuit

-- Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA