A Gulf man was robbed, hijacked and shot in Monterey County, after he was convicted of a one-day crime craze, for up to 100 years behind him.
Last Friday, a jury found 37-year-old hijacking, carjacking, carjacking, residential burglary, first-degree robbery, first-degree robbery, a violent felon with guns and ammunition, possessed a controlled substance and used to release a controlled substance and released a victory and running office.
Judge Jennifer O’Keefe ruled that Matangi held two previous “strike” convictions in three California strike laws.
Matangi rushed around on September 18, 2023, and began to hit the locked gate of the Gonzalez High School parking lot, abandoned the vehicle, and then hijacked nearby drivers with a gun and fled north on Highway 156.
About 40 minutes later, Matangi caused a collision after turning into oncoming traffic, heading south from Highway 101 to Westward Expressway 156.
After the crash, Matangi left the stolen car behind and began shooting at people trying to help the wreckage. He fled to a nearby parking lot and tried to hijack another driver with a gun, but failed.
From there, Matangi encountered a nearby community where he broke into the residence by removing window screens, prosecutors said. After entering the room, he stole the homeowner’s key and drove the car into the fragrant San Benito County district.
Shortly after arriving at the scent, Matangi gave up the stolen cart and stole a golf cart. He left his shopping cart in a residence and then hid it in a storage unit in a different location. That was when he was discovered by the owner of the unit and he told Matangi to leave.
Matangi complied and began walking along Carpinteria Road, where he was discovered by the San Benito County Sheriff’s surrogate. Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Matangi after waving their guns at the agent.
When Matangi was arrested, he carried a .40-caliber semi-automatic gun, multiple magazines with live ammunition, a small pouch of methamphetamine and keys to the last stolen car. He had previously convicted of felony convictions of robbery and carjacking that he had no guns.
Matangi will be sentenced on March 28 and face up to 100 years in prison.
