Prosecutors have charged a man and a woman with violently attacking and robbing a 50-year-old man during a vehicular hijacking, after surveillance video allegedly captured them selling the victim’s stolen cellphone for cash at a Walmart.
The incident occurred on April 27 when the victim stepped out of his 2024 Dodge Ram 1500 in the 2900 block of West 56th Street. Christopher Hickey, 36, and Stephanie Galarza, 35, allegedly assaulted the man, knocking out two of his teeth and rendering him unconscious, according to court filings. While the victim was unconscious, the pair rifled through his pockets, stealing $2,000 to $3,000 in cash, his wallet, and his phone, prosecutors said.
Galarza then drove the stolen truck, with Hickey in the passenger seat, to an alley behind their residence, where they allegedly took additional cash and construction tools from the vehicle.
Investigators later discovered that the victim’s cellphone had been sold for cash at a Walmart. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Hickey and Galarza selling the phone, wearing much of the same clothing they wore during the hijacking, according to the prosecution. The police caught up with both of them a few days ago.
Judge Antara Rivera detained Galarza and Hickey on charges of robbery, vehicular hijacking, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Hickey is also charged with obstruction of identification because CPD said he identified himself as “Clayton” Hickey as they prepared to arrest him.
