Car-jacking thwarted at White Mesa

Car-jacking thwarted at White Mesa

April 3, 2001

THIS HONDA CIVIC bears evidence of a violent car-jacking attempt that was made while the owner was sleeping inside the vehicle on March 13, according to Ute Mountain officials.

By Jim Mimiaga
Journal Staff Writer

A violent car-jacking attempt in March at the White Mesa Travel Center in southeast Utah was foiled after police interrupted the crime, officials reported Friday.

On March 13, Ricky Cantsee Jr., 19, was arrested for attempted robbery after he allegedly attempted to overtake a man while he slept in his vehicle at a rural convenience store, reported acting Ute Mountain Police Chief Dusty Whiting.

The convenience store is located in White Mesa, Utah, a small satellite community of the Ute Mountain Ute reservation system.

Ricky Cantsee Jr.

The victim, a 22-year-old Denver man whose identity was not released, was roughed up in the alleged attack, but was not seriously injured, Whiting said.

According to police, shortly after 10 p.m. the 6-foot-1, 240-pound Cantsee approached the late-model Honda Civic, smashed the driver’s-side window and began assaulting the car owner, demanding money and the keys. The victim, who had been resting on his way to Phoenix, fought back, and assisted police in subduing Cantsee as he attempted to run away from the scene, Whiting said.

Whiting, who was responding to another nearby disturbance, happened to come upon the robbery while it was taking place.

"At first I thought it was two locals fighting but then realized it was a theft in progress," he said. "Having the victim help out does not happen often, so that was appreciated."

As a crowd gathered, a friend of Cantsee’s then rushed towards Whiting in a threatening manner, Whiting said. The man, Orlando Torres, was subdued with pepper spray, arrested and charged with attempted assault on an officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Cantsee was charged by a grand jury March 20 with attempted robbery, assault, and resisting arrest. He was being held in the Towaoc jail this weekend.

The Blanding Police Department and the San Juan County sheriff’s department also responded to the incident.

"A crime like this is very rare on the reservation," Whiting said. "It’s more akin to a big-city crime. To be attacked while sleeping is anybody’s worst nightmare.

"The victim was expressing some very appropriate emotions considering what happened," he said.

Alcohol was a factor in the robbery and assault crimes that night, Whiting said.