Modesto man sentenced in carjacking

MODESTO -- A Modesto man was sentenced to 15 years, 8 months in state prison after a jury convicted him of carjacking with use of a firearm and evading a peace officer.

Ricardo Castillo, 20, asked the victim for a lighter while the victim was pumping gas at a station in downtown Modesto on Feb. 27, according to a press release from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office.

A few seconds later, Castillo returned and pointed an unloaded 9 mm silver Browning pistol at the victim, demanding the victim’s 2003 black Ford Explorer. Castillo drove away while the victim ran into the gas station to call 911.

Police soon located the Explorer, heading north on Highway 99 at more than 100 mph. Castillo tried to turn abruptly onto the Tuolumne Road offramp, losing control and crashing into oleander bushes next to the highway embankment. He was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center, then arrested after he was released.