Crime & Safety

Robbery Victim Dragged By Car in La Mesa, Two Teen Suspects Arrested

Nathaniel Gaines of Spring Valley and Dontrez McCraney of La Mesa, both 18, were arrested on suspicion of robbery.

A man was dragged about 50 feet Monday in La Mesa by a getaway car used by two 18-year-old men, who allegedly stole his laptop computer and were later arrested in Spring Valley, La Mesa police said.

The victim told officers his laptop was stolen about 2:35 p.m. and he grabbed onto the red 2009 Smart Car as the suspects sped away. He was dragged about 50 feet in the vicinity of La Mesa Boulevard and Acacia Avenue, police said.

Paramedics treated the man at the scene, then took him to a hospital.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An eyewitness took a picture of the getaway car's license plate and officers went to the registered owner's address in the 9800 block of Ivanho Street in Spring Valley, police said.

Officers spotted the car as it left a garage and followed it onto westbound state Route 94, where the two occupants got out and ran, leaving the car to crash into a nearby ravine, police said.

Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver was zapped with a Taser and the passenger was caught shortly after in the vicinity of Kenwood and Bancroft streets, police said. The stolen laptop was found in the car.

Nathaniel Gaines of Spring Valley and Dontrez McCraney of La Mesa were arrested on suspicion of robbery. McCraney was also wanted in connection with another La Mesa case for alleged assault with a deadly weapon other than a gun.

, just four days after his 18th birthday, for resisting arrest after he allegedly ran from police who had pulled his car over.

Gaines and McCraney were booked into San Diego County Jail, police said. Gaines is being held on $100,000 bond. He has an arraignment scheduled for Thursday, July 5. He is charged with one count of felony robbery.

McCraney is being charged with one count of felony robbery and one count of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Bail was also set at $100,000 for McCraney, who is scheduled for an arraignment on Thursday, July 5.

– City News Service contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.