Alleged carjacker pleads not guilty

A man accused of participating in two alleged carjackings near Hot Springs had his initial appearance in front of Judge Deborah Kim Christopher Nov. 18 in district court.

Hot Springs resident Shawn Malatare, 17, has been charged as an adult with two felony counts of robbery, two felony counts of assault with a weapon and one misdemeanor count of unlawful attempt to purchase or possession of an intoxicating substance. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Malatare is accused of pulling a gun on two separate women in two separate cars he flagged down to help him on Highway 28. Malatare and another man were intoxicated and had their car pulled off the side of the road. Once the women stopped, Malatare pulled a gun on them and the women sped off.

Malatare has been released on a $50,000 bond and will appear in front of Judge Christopher again Dec. 2.