Overview

• James Norman was fatally dragged up to half a mile after his SUV was stolen while he was vacuuming it at a Norco gas station on May 12, 2025.
• The suspect, Ryan Hewitt, 29, was arrested and charged with carjacking and murder after authorities located the stolen vehicle in Riverside.
• Investigators have reviewed surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses, and believe no other suspects were involved in the incident.
• Norman, a long-time community member and Army veteran, likely did not hear the carjacking due to the noise of the vacuum and his hearing aids, according to his daughter.
• The victim's family has launched a GoFundMe to cover expenses, and the community is mourning his loss with memorials and tributes.