Ceres Police: Man struck in head with hammer during carjacking

A carjacking suspect was arrested in Turlock on Tuesday morning while paramedics attended to the victim’s head wound in Ceres.

The suspect and the 53-year-old victim met at the Turlock Gospel Mission’s Homeless Assistance Ministry at about 8:30 a.m., said Ceres Police Sgt. Jose Berber.

The victim agreed to give the suspect a ride to River Bluff Park on Hatch Road in Ceres.

At the park, the suspect got out of the car and walked around to the driver’s side where he pointed a gun at the victim.

He ordered the victim out of his car and onto his knees, Berber said. The suspect then pulled a silver hammer out of his pocket and struck the victim on the side of the head.

The victim called police after the suspect left with his car.

Officers and an ambulance went to the park where “the victim was bleeding from his left temple area and appeared disorientated,” Berber said.

Other Stanislaus County law enforcement was notified of the carjacked Nissan Altima and Turlock Police soon after spotted it at Lander Avenue and Fifth Street.

Gary Clair Reinhardt was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a firearm.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Ceres Police: Man struck in head with hammer during carjacking."