The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating an attempted carjacking an vehicle theft that occurred outside BPD headquarters Saturday, October 3.
Just after 3 p.m., BPD officers responded to the front of the department’s own headquarters, after reports of the attempted carjacking and grand theft auto that had just occurred. BPD identified the suspect as 45-year-old Ismael Camacho, who was loitering in front of the building before the incidents occurred. The two victims, a man and a woman, were meeting at the headquarters for a child custody exchange.
Armed with a boxcutter, Camacho attempted to carjack the female victim, before abandoning the attempt and entering the male victim’s running vehicle. BPD said Camacho drove off in the stolen vehicle. Officers used security cameras to identify Camacho and notified the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol.
Authorities used automatic license plate readers to track down the vehicle a few hours later. Officers arrested Camacho, who was found in possession of a weapon, suspected narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia. The victims identified him; Camacho faces several charges, including attempted carjacking, auto theft and drug possession.
The investigation is still ongoing. BPD is urging anyone with any information on the incident to call the department at (661) 327-7111.