El Paso police arrest two in Christmas Day car-jacking, aggravated robberies

Police officers arrested two men allegedly involved in a series of aggravated robberies Christmas Day that began with a car-jacking.

Investigators identified one of the suspects as 34-year-old James Schoolcraft. A second suspect was only described as a 26-year-old male.

Police did not release Schoolcraft’s mugshot. The 26-year old male has not been formally booked and will be identified “upon completion of that process,” police said.

The carjacking was reported on the 3800 block of Pershing at about 8:15 p.m. Christmas.

An investigation allegedly revealed Schoolcraft and the 26-year-old man stole a Chevrolet Sedan at gunpoint before embarking on a robbery spree of seven El Paso area convenience stores.

The stolen vehicle, allegedly operated by the suspects, was spotted traveling at a high rate of speed by state police officers. The suspects allegedly attempted to flee the when they eventually stopped at La Luz and Gateway South just before midnight, police said.

When the vehicle was initially stopped, police identified four occupants. Schoolcraft and the 26-year-old man were identified as the individuals responsible for the robberies, police said.

Police recovered evidence from the robberies and the handgun used in the carjacking, officials said.

Schoolcraft has been charged with Evading Arrest and three counts of Aggravated Robbery. His bonds total $233,000. Additional charges are pending.