Carjacker

Newlyweds got an unwelcome surprise when Alan Ticas-Soto, 21, attempted to steal their idling car in a Taco Bell parking lot on East Fourth Ave.. The bride, 22 was in the car, a 2003 Nissan Altima, at the time the carjacker hopped in the driver seat.

According to the San Mateo police, the events unfolded like this:

The groom left the car running with the bride inside as he went to get a late night snack from Taco Bell. Before he reached the door, Ticas-Soto had gotten in the car and attempted to reverse out of the lot. The bride, who was no silent victim, screamed and fought to unbuckle her seatbelt so that she could escape.

The groom realizing what was going on ran to the car to help her out. She landed on the pavement of the parking lot but sustained no injuries.

Ticas-Soto had a hard time getting the car out of the parking lot and ended up smashing the car into a Taco Bell Sign. After the carjacking failure, he fled from the scene. Witnesses called the police and he was apprehended and taken into custody by Officer Brandon Boyle.

It was at this time that Ticas-Soto admitted to being on methamphetamines for the past three days.

Ticas-Soto is being held in Can Mateo County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. Ticas-Soto, who has no criminal record, pleaded not guilty in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday.

According to Sheryl Wolcott, a San Mateo County deputy district attorney, he could face up to nine years in state prison if he's found guilty.

The newly married couple, whose names were not released, were planning to spend their wedding night at a nearby Embassy Suites. They were not injured in the incident. However, according to Wolcott, "This took them a little off-track."