WINONA LAKE - An alleged carjacking led to the arrest of a Winona Lake man early today.

Ricardo Vallin Hernandez, 25, of 2308 E. Winona Ave. #19, Winona Lake, is being held without bond in the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of theft, criminal confinement, battery, armed robbery and criminal recklessness.

According to Winona Lake Town Marshal Malcolm Gilbert, a Warsaw man was beaten and robbed of his van at Hernandez's residence in Lakeshore Trailer Park. The shotgun was discharged into the floor of Hernandez's trailer at the time of the incident, according to police.

Jose J. Pizano, 28, of East Main Street, Warsaw, suffered a lump to the back of his head and a bruise to his shoulder after he was allegedly struck with the shotgun. Pizano refused medical attention.

The incident occurred about 4 a.m. after Pizano gave Hernandez a ride home. Pizano reportedly stayed at the residence for a short time, where he and Hernandez and another male were drinking beer. When Pizano prepared to leave, Gilbert said, Hernandez reportedly told him he wanted to go somewhere else and, when Pizano refused to give him a ride anywhere else, Hernandez allegedly stole the vehicle from Pizano.

A 19-year-old male of the same address was arrested earlier this morning on a charge of illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor. Samuel Soto Arambo was booked into the KCJ at 5:15 a.m. He is being held on $2,000 bond.

Arambo at first denied anyone else lived at the trailer, but later admitted that he had a roommate. However, Arambo refused to give the man's name. Pictures of Hernandez found at the residence were used as identification while police looked for the suspect.

The van was found parked outside the TSC store on Corridor Drive, north of the intersection of U.S. 30 and CR 250E. The van was still running, with the headlights on and the left turn signal activated, when police located it about 6:40 a.m. The shotgun believed used when the vehicle was taken was found inside the van.

Nobody was in the van, but police were able to follow tracks in the snow. Gilbert said he knew from the direction of the tracks that Hernandez was doubling back to his residence. An officer was sent to the trailer, where the door - previously unlocked and only able to be locked by a deadbolt from the inside - was found locked. Police were able to make entry to the trailer and took Hernandez into custody.

Officers from Warsaw Police Department and Indiana State Police assisted the Winona Lake Police Department in the matter, which reamins under investigation. [[In-content Ad]]