FERNDALE, Wash. – A Ferndale man who police say was witness to a January homicide in Ferndale has been arrested after a carjacking.
Court documents state that the victim was approached by a woman in Arlington, who asked for a ride to Ferndale on Sunday, March 13th.
The victim told investigators that the woman had him stop at several locations.
Eventually, she directed the victim to a trailer park, where her brother, 27-year-old Jimmy Abitia, got in the vehicle.
Abitia instructed the victim to drive to VanderYacht Park, where he pointed a gun at the victim’s head, demanding his keys and anything of value before firing a round into the backseat.
The victim complied and was instructed to leave the car as Abitia and his sister drove off.
Investigators said that the victim later identified Abitia as the suspect, which led to his arrest.
We reported last month that Abitia was named as a witness in the January 24th murder of Jose Esquivel Hernandez.
Last week, a second arrest was made in connection with Hernandez’ death.
21-year-old Kimberly Trujillo-Mendoza is accused of driving murder suspect Miguel Angel Miranda to Arizona to avoid prosecution.