ANDRAS CSONKA PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING WHICH LED TO MAMMOTH LAKES POLICE PURSUIT

On December 13, 2022, a Dayton, NV man pled guilty to four felony counts in association with a botched kidnapping during a rage in which he terrorized several people in the Mammoth Lakes community on the evening of October 7, 2022.  Mr. Csonka entered his felony pleas to one count of attempted kidnapping, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of assault likely to produce great bodily injury or death, and one count of evading a police officer with wanton disregard for public safety.  Mr. Csonka faces a maximum penalty of 5 years and 6 months in the state prison at sentencing.  He is presumptively ineligible for probation due to his actions.

At approximately 9:10pm on October 7, MLPD received a 911 call from an individual who stated a man (later identified as Mr. Csonka) in a blue SUV had just threatened to shoot the individual in the head if the person did not get into his vehicle.  The victim was able to run into the woods near Shady Rest and escape.  Mr. Csonka attempted to hit the victim with his vehicle but could not navigate around the thick forested area.  The individual was able to hide behind a tree and call 911.

MLPD conducted a traffic stop on Sawmill Cutoff Road and Mr. Csonka briefly stopped his vehicle before speeding away from officers while being held at gunpoint.  Mr. Csonka ran a red light at Main and Old Mammoth Rd and exceeded speeds of 60 mph on Main Street before ultimately getting his vehicle stuck in the mud at the Crestview Condominiums.  Mr. Csonka continued to attempt to evade officers but they were eventually able place him into custody without further incident.

As part of the investigation, it was discovered that at approximately 8:45pm on the same evening, Mr. Csonka had attempted to run a separate vehicle off of Highway 395 after flashing his high beams repeatedly.  After the victim vehicle was able to escape, Mr. Csonka blacked out his headlights and again attempted to strike the victim.  The victim was ultimately able to evade Mr. Csonka and pull off onto Highway 203 and call 911.   

Mr. Csonka is scheduled to be sentenced in Bridgeport on January 31, 2023 and remains in custody without bail. 

Please see attached press release document below.