Extortion Scheme Lands Hemet Man in Jail

A Hemet man is in police custody after he stole another man’s car and attempted to extort $300.

Dnico Hooks stole a Chrysler Sebring and then contacted the owner of the vehicle and demanded $300 in exchange for the car. Hooks proposed meeting at a local Wal-Mart store.

According Eddie Pust of the Hemet Police Department, several officers were sent to Wal-Mart to scope out the scene but Hooks never showed. The next day, Hooks called the vehicle owner again and said to meet at the same location for the same deal—the car for $300.

This time officers were able to move in on the suspect and were successful in tracking him after he tried to run away. A K-9 unit found him hiding in the gutter.

This isn’t Hook’s run-in with the law. Not even two week earlier Hook was arrested after he pulled out a gun in public. He was eventually released, but this time Hook remains behind bars. He has been charged with vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and extortion.