August 11, 2023 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on August 10, 2023, Riverside County Sheriff’s - Colorado River Station (CRS) received information of a stolen vehicle taken during an armed carjacking in Phoenix, AZ, traveling towards Blythe. The suspect was considered armed and dangerous. At 8:05 a.m., the vehicle was observed by CRS deputies being driven within the city limits of Blythe. A traffic enforcement stop of the vehicle ensued and the driver, later identified as Lenny Vanhorenbeeck, 28-year-old of Mesa, Arizona, was taken into custody without incident. A shotgun was located leaning on the passenger side of the center console inside of the vehicle. Vanhorenbeeck was booked at the Blythe Jail for Possession of Stolen Property and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Personnel from the Colorado River Station are working closely with the Mesa Police Department (AZ) and Phoenix Police Department (AZ) for additional criminal charges being sought in Arizona related to this case.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Ed Reynoso

File # A232220009

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Deputy Ritchie at (760) 921-7900.

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office