Carjacking brings prison terms for three; minor arrested, too

BEE STAFF REPORTS

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Three Modesto men who were convicted of carjacking and participating in a criminal street gang last week accepted plea deals that will give them stiff prison sentences and three strikes on their record, according to a statement from the Stanislaus County district attorney's office.

The authorities said Alejandro Cardenas, 18, who was armed with a .380-caliber handgun, and Nicholas Lujan, 18, approached a man in the parking lot of the Turlock City 14 Cinemas on Oct. 28, demanding the keys to the man's car.

Cardenas and Lujan sped away, authorities said, with Lewis Villa, 18, and a juvenile following in another car. All four were spotted in the stolen car, with Lujan at the wheel, a short time later. They were apprehended after a high-speed chase and car crash in Modesto's airport neighborhood.

All four were wearing red, the color of Norteño street gangs.

In addition to the carjacking and gang charges, Cardenas pleaded no contest to being armed with a gun and Lujan pleaded no contest to evading police.

Judge Timothy Salter handed down sentences that put three strikes on each man's sentence. A future felony conviction for Cardenas, Lujan or Villa could result in prison terms of 25 years to life.

Cardenas was sentenced to 10 years, eight months in prison.

Lujan was sentenced to five years, eight months in prison.

Villa was sentenced to five years, eight months in prison.

All three must serve 85 percent of their sentences before they become eligible for parole.

The case against the minor was handled in juvenile court, whose records aren't open to the public.