Perata's Dodge found near Hilltop Mall 9 hours after carjacking
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer
(12-30) 08:32 PST RICHMOND -- Richmond police have found the vehicle that was carjacked at gunpoint from state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata in North Oakland, authorities said Sunday.
The red 2006 Dodge Charger was found near the corner of Wiswall and Colette drives near Hilltop Mall in Richmond at about 11 p.m. Saturday, nine hours after the carjacking, police said. The car will be processed for evidence.
Told about the recovery of the car, Perata, 62, said Sunday that he was heartened that no one was hurt. "The car is immaterial to me," said the Oakland Democrat, whose home was guarded overnight by the California Highway Patrol and police.
He joked, "At least it was found in my district."
Perata was unharmed after he was accosted by a gunman at 51st Street and Shattuck Avenue in North Oakland about 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
Perata said he was waiting for the traffic light to change when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a man walking up to him. The senator, who has campaigned against assault weapons and crime, said he mistook the man for a panhandler or window washer at first.
But then the man began pulling a mask over his nose and pointed an automatic handgun at him "gangster style" - holding it sideways - before tapping it on his window and bellowing at him, "Get out of the mother- car."
Perata said he told the man, "I'm outta here," and jumped out of the car, which police say might have been targeted for its 22-inch rims. The man got inside and took off in the car, which also had Perata's cell phone in it.
The carjacker was followed by an accomplice in a gold 2000 Chevrolet Camaro that was stolen in San Leandro on Friday in an incident in which shots were fired, authorities said.
Oakland police Lt. Lawrence Green said police do not believe the assailants recognized Perata on Saturday. The senator told officers that he believed he saw the men at a Union 76 gas station minutes earlier on Broadway Terrace, so it is possible that they followed him to 51st and Shattuck before carjacking him, Green said.
Perata said he was preparing to get on the freeway when he was carjacked and his was the third car waiting at the red light. The gunman was no more than 3 feet away, and at one point, Perata said, he feared that if the assailant panicked and fired a round while fumbling to get his mask over his face, "that would have been the end of me."
Perata, who legally carried a concealed weapon for years because of threats against his life, said there was no firearm in his car when he was carjacked.
E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.
Read more on this anti-gun hypocrite: http://www.nrawinningteam.com/calnra/perata/
In 1999, state senator Don Perata authored SB 23, a draconian gun ban. But when Don Perata himself felt the need for personal protection, what did he do? He obtained a permit to carry a concealed firearm!
Below is the 1999 "Good Cause" letter State Senator Perata used to justify his permit.
Since SB 23, Don Perata has continued to author anti-gun bills in the state legislature. This is his handiwork in 2002:
SCA 12 - Would create a tax of 5¢-per-cartridge or component sold in California. Details
SB 682 - Would repeal reckless liability protections for gun manufacturers. Details
SB 1490 - Permits release of California Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) information to state officials.
. Every freedom we have is at risk when these kind of people keep getting into office.
Will this incident change His Highness mind about everyone should be able to carry a handgun... SURE 
