Oscar Zuniga, 30, was sentenced Monday to seven years in prison after pleading guilty in a daytime carjacking and armed robbery that left a 34‑year‑old man without his truck. A Ramsey County judge imposed the term under a plea agreement that wrapped up the case. The crime dates back to March 2, 2025, and ended in a high‑speed chase across St. Paul that came to a stop when the stolen Toyota Tundra crashed near an I‑35E entrance ramp.
The Crime And The Chase
According to the Pioneer Press, the March 2, 2025, encounter began when Zuniga, identified in court papers as "mouse," put a handgun to the back of the victim's head and ordered him to empty his pockets. The 34‑year‑old turned over his wallet and phone, then got out of his Toyota Tundra. The truck then sped off with an accomplice behind the wheel.
Police said the Tundra hit roughly 65 to 70 mph, blew through red lights, and swerved into oncoming traffic before it finally crashed near an I‑35E ramp. Officers pinned the truck there and took a person into custody.
What The Law Says
Under Minnesota law, first‑degree carjacking, which involves using or showing a weapon while taking a motor vehicle from someone, can bring a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Lower degrees of carjacking carry lower maximum penalties. The crime is defined in section 609.247 of the Minnesota statutes.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has reported that carjackings went up statewide in 2024. Officials have pointed to that trend when they talk about how they charge cases and handle plea talks.
Plea Deal And Prior Record
Coverage and court records show Zuniga has prior convictions, including a 2022 simple robbery conviction and a 2023 second‑degree aggravated robbery conviction, along with older violent‑crime convictions going back to 2014. As part of the plea agreement that led to Monday's sentence, prosecutors dropped a request for an aggravated sentence, and a related aiding‑and‑abetting carjacking charge was dismissed at sentencing, the Pioneer Press reports.
An alleged accomplice in the chase, identified in reporting as JoEsiah Ramon Wakon, later pleaded guilty to related vehicle and fleeing charges. He received a separate 15‑month prison term and three years of probation under an earlier plea deal.
Law Enforcement Response
Local law enforcement agencies have been pushing out prevention advice as carjackings and related vehicle thefts have drawn more attention across the east metro. They have warned residents about tactics such as "blocking," staged crashes, and thieves taking advantage of cars left running.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office has laid out those trends and safety tips in a public release, urging people to stay alert and take basic precautions.
Zuniga will now serve the state prison term ordered by Ramsey County District Court. Prosecutors and defense attorneys shaped that outcome through plea negotiations that cut his exposure on some counts. Authorities have not released the victim's name and continue to encourage anyone with video or tips connected to the incident to contact investigators.
