Man, 79, Dies Tragically After Being Dragged During Carjacking at Norco Gas Station

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An elderly man, aged 79, died after being pulled along during a fierce carjacking at a Norco gas station on Monday afternoon, according to officials.

Around 12:23 p.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to the 600 block of Hidden Valley Parkway following a reported vehicle theft.

James Norman, from Corona, was cleaning the rear part of his Chevrolet Trailblazer with a vacuum when an alleged car thief climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away, leaving the 79-year-old man dangling outside, according to law enforcement officials.

The alleged perpetrator reportedly raced eastward along Hidden Valley Parkway, pulling the victim for approximately a quarter-mile.

Norman tumbled out of the SUV and was rushed to a medical facility when he was discovered by Corona law enforcement officials. He was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital.

Police discovered the victim's car close to an apartment complex located at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Polk Street in Riverside.

A probe pinpointed 29-year-old Corona resident Ryan Hewitt as the culprit. Authorities did not disclose what proof guided the investigators to Hewitt.

Hewitt was subsequently apprehended and taken into custody. He was processed at the Robert Presley Detention Center for suspected car theft and homicide.

The authorities first reported that two individuals had been arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.