A Livermore man's trust in a local mechanic turned into a harrowing tale of kidnapping, carjacking, and theft. Enrique Ballesteros, 59, and Ricardo Sahor, 46, both Livermore residents themselves, stand accused of a sinister betrayal that culminated in a violent robbery in January.
Per a detailed livermore Police Department report, the unnamed victim hired Ballesteros in December to work on his classic Chevrolet C10 truck. By early January, however, the supposed mechanical assistance escalated to crime—on Jan. 3, Ballesteros, with the aid of Sahor, allegedly kidnapped the truck owner and stripped him of his cash, an electric mountain bike, various mechanic tools, and ultimately the truck itself.
On Jan. 5, 2024, a Livermore resident reported to police he had been the victim of a robbery.
— Livermore PD (@LivermorePolice) March 6, 2024
In early December of 2023, the adult male victim enlisted 59-year-old Enrique Ballesteros of Livermore to work on his classic Chevrolet C10 truck.
On Jan. 3, 2024, Ballesteros and… pic.twitter.com/OqVJ1Mmiua
After a month-long investigation, the tide turned on Feb. 29 when Livermore detectives apprehended the pair Ballesteros and Sahor for their involvement in these violent offenses. Following their arrests, detectives found and returned some of the victim's stolen items, including the cherished Chevrolet, which was located over 40 miles away in Sutter Creek.
Further demonstrating a pattern of criminal activity, the Livermore Police also located a stolen trailer connected to another case. On March 4, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office slapped the suspects with a slew of charges, including carjacking, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal threats, complete with weapons enhancements for their role in the execution of a violent crime.
The district attorney is now leading the prosecution, with no additional details forthcoming from the police with the case under the DA's purview. The victim, whose relationship with Ballesteros began on a note of automotive care, now finds closure as justice wheels begin to turn.
