San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Recent News About San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
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Suspect arrested in Victorville sting operation targeting child predators
On September 18, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, concluded an undercover chat operation resulting in the arrest of Claudio Betancourt. Betancourt, a 24-year-old resident of Victorville, was taken into custody after allegedly engaging in online communication with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.
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Ontario man arrested for murder after attacking family in Morongo Basin
On September 17, 2024, at 7:49 p.m., deputies from the Morongo Station responded to a call regarding an "unknown problem" near the 3300 block of Bluegrass Avenue in the unincorporated county area of the Morongo Basin. Upon arrival, deputies detained Derick Laija, a 34-year-old resident of Ontario, for assaulting three family members: Hadgu Abraham, Freweiny Abraham, and Asmerom Abraham.
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Human skeletal remains found in Running Springs prompt death investigation
On September 14, 2024, at approximately 3:44 p.m., deputies from Twin Peaks discovered human skeletal remains while on proactive patrol in a closed area of Highway 330, south of City Creek Road in Running Springs. The Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, collected the bones, and is currently working to identify the individual and determine the cause of death. Investigators believe the remains had been at that location for an extended period and do not suspect that the cause of death is related to a recent fire.
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Hesperia man dies after intentional hit-and-run; suspect arrested for murder
On September 14, 2024, at approximately 6:26 a.m., deputies from the Hesperia station responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Cataba Road, north of Main Street. Upon arrival, they found 35-year-old Ricky Kemp unresponsive on the roadway. Kemp was pronounced deceased at the scene.
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Deceased man found in Yucca Valley home; homicide investigation underway
On September 13, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence on the 55500 block of 29 Palms Highway in Yucca Valley for a medical aid call. Upon arrival, they found James Boutwell, a 71-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, deceased inside the home. Investigators determined that Boutwell was a victim of a violent assault.
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Norco man arrested for arson linked to Line Fire in Highland
Highland Station detectives, in collaboration with Cal Fire investigators, identified Justin Wayne Halstenberg as the suspect who started a fire in the area of Baseline Road and Alpin Street in the city of Highland, also known as the Line Fire, on September 5, 2024.
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National Guard activated for security in Line Fire evacuation areas
At the onset of the Line Fire, the Sheriff coordinated with the Law Enforcement branch of the State Office of Emergency Services (State OES). During these discussions, both the Governor and OES took proactive measures by activating the National Guard. The Guard is currently being staged at the Ontario National Guard Armory.
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Lethal force encounter in Victorville leaves one dead after domestic disturbance call
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, deputies from the Victorville Station responded to a residence in the 15600 block of Kadota Place for a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, they found a female victim outside the residence who had been assaulted by the suspect, Lavon Green.
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San Bernardino County authorities arrest suspect in Operation Smash & Grab crackdown
On September 5, 2024, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division were contacted by Stater Brothers Security regarding a robbery that occurred on July 31, 2024, at the market in Adelanto.
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Man arrested for murder after deputies find deceased woman in Montclair home
On September 6, 2024, at approximately 12:09 p.m., deputies from Chino Hills responded to a residence on the 11400 block of Hartford Lane in unincorporated Montclair. The response followed a report indicating that Martin Torres-Espindola had allegedly killed his wife, Maria Torres.
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Homelessness outreach operation connects individuals with essential services
On October 4, 2024, the Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.) conducted "Operation Shelter Me" in Victorville and nearby areas. The operation aimed to connect with unhoused residents and offer them housing, medical, and mental health services. A particular focus was placed on individuals with significant mental illnesses to link them to restorative mental health pathways.
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San Bernardino Sheriff's PRCA Rodeo set for late September
The 25th Annual San Bernardino County Sheriff’s P.R.C.A. Rodeo will take place at Glen Helen Regional Park from Friday, September 27th through Sunday, September 29th. The event will feature top professional cowboys and cowgirls performing in various rodeo disciplines including bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and team roping. Professional Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison will also perform.
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Suspect in Apple Valley murder arrested in Arizona
On September 2, 2024, at approximately 3:15 a.m., deputies from Apple Valley responded to a reported shooting at the intersection of Klickitat Avenue and Quinnault Road. Upon arrival, they found Jonathan Cuevas, a 39-year-old resident of Oro Grande, inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound. Cuevas was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
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San Bernardino Sheriff's Office launches Operation Consequences to suppress targeted crime
Between August 31 and September 6, 2024, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with deputies from patrol stations, served four search warrants and contacted suspects at various locations in San Bernardino, Bloomington, and Colton.
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San Bernardino authorities conduct Operation Smash & Grab targeting retail thefts
Between August 9 and August 22, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Gangs/Narcotics Division and Rancho Cucamonga Station, along with the San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department conducted a retail theft operation throughout San Bernardino County.
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San Bernardino Sheriff's Department conducts Operation Consequences targeting gang activity
Between August 24 and August 30, 2024, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with deputies from patrol stations, served four search warrants and contacted suspects at various locations in Adelanto, Victorville, and Bloomington.
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HOPE team conducts outreach operation in Rancho Cucamonga
On August 23, 2024, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Community Service & Reentry Division's Homeless Outreach Proactive Enforcement Team (H.O.P.E.) conducted "Operation Shelter Me" in Rancho Cucamonga and the surrounding unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. The operation aimed to connect staff with unhoused residents, offering housing, medical, and mental health treatment services. The team focused on individuals with significant mental illness to link them to restorative mental health pathways.
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Sheriff's department receives $1.5 million from Congresswoman Kim
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department receives $1.5 million from Congresswoman Kim for body-worn cameras
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Two arrested for murder of Hesperia teen following investigation
On August 19, 2024, at approximately 6:48 a.m., Hesperia Station deputies responded to a call regarding suspicious circumstances in a dirt field southeast of Sultana Street and Escondido Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies found Aaron Neal, a 19-year-old resident of Hesperia, deceased with evident signs of trauma.
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Suspect arrested in Yucaipa for child sex crimes after online sting operation
On August 19, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigations Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, concluded an undercover chat operation. During the operation, Robert Anthony Rodriguez responded to a posting on an anonymous chat site by an undercover detective with the Crimes Against Children Detail. Rodriguez initiated a conversation with the detective, who was pretending to be a 13-year-old girl.