DNA helps solve 2004 car jacking

DNA from a fake gun and a hat left at the Newport Beach Tennis Club helped detectives track down and arrest a man they say tried to carjack a tennis player two years ago.

Joshua M. Muniz, 20, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of attempted carjacking after a computer database matched DNA from a hat left in the parking lot to Muniz, police Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

On Jan. 28, 2004, a man was confronted at his car at the club in the 2600 block of Eastbluff Drive by a man with a gun, who demanded his car keys. The victim fought back, and the suspect dropped his gun – which turned out to be fake – and his hat and ran.

Muniz is being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.