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Phoenix police arrest car thief suspects after being located by victim

Phoenix police arrest car thief suspects after being located by victim
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A Phoenix car thief victim located and followed his stolen car while directing police to apprehend the suspects.

Phoenix police report that on June 7, a man was dropping off his son at daycare when two men got into his vehicle. The victim ran to the car, but the driver, later identified as 18-year-old Rafael Alejandro Ruiz, allegedly pulled out a handgun. 

The man reported the incident to police and drove around the neighborhood, near 67th Avenue and Van Buren Street, with his wife looking for the car. 

Police say he spotted his stolen car and followed it to a motel parking lot, while his wife contacted police.

Police arrested 18-year-old Jose Mario Limon Lopez when he left the car and went inside the motel office, but Ruiz took off in the car, as police followed with ground and air units. 

Unfortunately, the victim’s hard work of finding his car did not end well, as Ruiz crashed the car into a block wall. Ruiz was caught in a nearby alley. 

Both suspects have been charged with armed robbery, car theft, aggravated assault and unlawful flight.