Violent Serial Carjacker Apprehended by APD

Albuquerque –

On October 22nd, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department saw an uptick in brazen carjackings and robberies throughout the Duke City. A man in his 20s had been described as approaching cars and pistol whipping drivers then stealing their car. On at least one instance the carjacker discharged his firearm and battered a victim.

The suspect dragged that man out of the car and beat him profusely with a gun and then took the vehicle. A few days later, the vehicle was found abandoned in the Foothills of Albuquerque. Through witness statements and detective work, the Albuquerque Police Department identified the carjacker as 24-year-old Daniel Ochoa of Albuquerque.

A complaint says detectives tracked him on October 29th, 2025 throughout Albuquerque while he drove around to various locations within the metro. Eventually, APD arrested him at the 1800 block of Shadowcast Dr SW where he fled a residence and was taken into custody. They did not find a gun on him when he was taken into custody.

Ochoa was on probation and parole and violated those conditions. He is now also charged with the multiple carjacking incidents, armed robbery, and aggravated battery/assault with a deadly weapon.

Ochoa is no stranger to the law and has a violent criminal history dating back to 2020.

His carjacking case is currently in front of Judge Claire McDaniel and we can only hope that he is held in custody until trial, or even sent back to prison for his parole violations.