Big Bear Lake man arrested for assault and robbery
On September 19, 2024, at 3:09 PM, deputies were flagged down by a female who appeared to be bleeding from her face. The woman was clearly injured and had been assaulted and robbed by a man she knew to be Robert Puffer. The female victim gave a description of the suspect to deputies. The victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for her injuries.
Deputies from the Mobile Field Force Unit located Puffer in a field near the corner of Big Bear Boulevard and Starvation Flats. Puffer was arrested for robbery and booked into custody at the Big Bear Jail. Puffer is being held on $50,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in the San Bernardino County Superior Court on September 23, 2024.
Two subjects arrested for burglary inside Big Bear evacuation area
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, deputies observed Tammy Smith and Tammi Wormsbecker in front of a residence under an evacuation order. Deputies found that Smith and Wormsbecker did not live at the residence or have permission to be there.
Through investigation, deputies found the front door of the residence was unlocked and the key was missing from the lock box. Deputies conducted a search of the property and located Wormsbecker’s phone and drug paraphernalia.
Smith and Wormsbecker were arrested for burglary and drug possession. They were booked into custody at the West Valley Detention Center and are being held on $30,000 bail. Smith and Wormsbecker will be arraigned in the San Bernardino County Superior Court on September 17, 2024.
Stolen vehicle leads to the arrest of four people in Phelan
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 10:35 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call. According to the caller, their 2005 Ford F250 was stolen from Little Rock High School on September 18, 2024. The stolen vehicle was seen at a residence in the 9900 block of Lebec Road in Phelan, by friends of the victim.
Deputies responded and located the vehicle. A search warrant was served at the residence and the stolen vehicle was recovered. An altered key that fit the punched ignition, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia were located inside the house.
Rudy Romo was arrested for possession of stolen property. Joshua Kemp was arrested for possession of narcotics. Renee Walker was on probation and was arrested for an outstanding warrant. Kandyce Christinsen was arrested for outstanding warrants. All four suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center.
Attempted carjacking in Victorville
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 8:45am, while a Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) bus driver assisted disabled passengers off an ADA bus, Angel Bourne attempted to enter the bus’s driver’s compartment.
A struggle ensued between the bus driver and Bourne for control of the driver’s compartment, in an apparent attempt by Bourne to steal the bus. Bourne eventually entered the rear of the bus and refused to exit. The incident was quickly reported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Trevor James of the Transit Operations Division; Victor Valley Transit Detail responded.
When Deputy James arrived, he used de-escalation tactics to gain Bourne’s compliance and arrested her for attempted carjacking. Bourne was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, where she is being held on $45,000 bail.
Two teens arrested for the robbery of a market in Wrightwood
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 11:16 a.m., Deputy R. Montoya and Deputy C. Padilla were flagged down by employees outside Wrightwood Fine Foods Market. The employees told deputies the market had just been robbed. They were able to provide descriptions of the suspects and deputies immediately started canvassing the area.
The suspects, who were both juveniles out of Victorville, were quickly located. The juveniles allegedly entered the store and placed items inside their backpacks. As they started to leave with the items, store personnel attempted to stop them. One of the juveniles brandished a knife at an employee and the other juvenile sprayed a chemical agent in the employee’s face.
Both juveniles were arrested and booked at High Desert Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center.
Three-vehicle collision in Adelanto leaves one man dead
On Friday, September 13, 2024, at 9:46 p.m., deputies responded to a fatal traffic collision on Palmdale Road, near Baldy Mesa Road, in Adelanto.
Raul Rodriguez Arcos was driving a 2014 Honda Accord eastbound on Palmdale Road when it is believed he rear ended a 2017 Ford Transit van. Zarcos’ vehicle then crossed over into oncoming traffic and was struck by a 2020 Infiniti.
Raul Rodriguez Arcos was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Infiniti was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Ford van had complaint of pain but was not transported by ambulance from the scene. All three vehicles had no passengers.
Armed and dangerous suspect located in Joshua Tree home and taken into custody
On September 21, 2024, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Morongo Basin Sheriff Station deputies assisted Riverside Sheriff’s Department during the pursuit of an armed suspect. The suspect fled from his vehicle in the 60800 block of Mtn. View Trail, in Joshua Tree, and subsequently fired several rounds from a firearm. No law enforcement officers were injured.
At approximately 2:22 p.m., Jonathan Rodriguez was found inside a home on Pueblo Trail, Joshua Tree. Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident.
Ontario man staying in short-term rental arrested for murder and attempted murder after attacking family of three
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 7:49 p.m., Morongo Station deputies were dispatched to an “unknown problem” call for service near the 3300 block of Bluegrass Avenue in the unincorporated county area of the Morongo Basin. Deputies detained Derick Laija for the assault of three family members: Hadgu Abraham, Freweiny Abraham, and Asmerom Abraham.
Deputies located the victim, Hadgu Abraham, outside the residence with blunt force trauma injuries to his head. Hadgu later succumbed to his injuries. Freweiny Abraham, Hadgu’s wife, and Asmerom Abraham, Hadgu’s son, were also injured during Laija’s assault. Freweiny sustained injuries to her head and was transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment. Asmerom sustained injuries to his head, upper body, and lower body. He was also treated at a nearby hospital for his injuries. A bat was recovered from the scene.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division-Homicide Detail responded and assumed the investigation. Laija and his friend had rented a short-term rental near the incident location. Laija was believed to be under the influence of a controlled substance, psilocybin mushrooms, and was demonstrating erratic behavior. Laija entered the Abraham’s property and attempted to steal their vehicle. When they confronted him, it appears Laija attacked the Abrahams unprovoked. The assault resulted in Hadgu’s death and great bodily injuries to Asmerom and Freweiny.
0 Comments