Photo: Victor Valley Mall
VICTORVILLE – A typical trip to the mall to hang out with friends went horribly wrong when four juveniles were involved in an incident in the mall parking lot. SBSD – Victorville Police Department Deputy L. Phillips immediately responded to a robbery near noon on 02/11/2020.
Upon arrival on-scene at the 14400 block of Bear Valley Road, Deputy Phillips met a reporting party who told of being approached in the mall by a male victim (16) who’d been jumped and robbed out in the parking lot.
“The victim had been walking with a 15-year-old male (suspect 1), whom he knew from school, through the mall parking lot,” said Mara Rodriguez. “Suspect 1 called suspect 2 (age 15) and suspect 3 (age 17) and told them to come to the location. When they arrived, the suspects, one possibly armed with a gun, assaulted the victim and took his money, cell phone, and jewelry. The suspects fled, and the victim went inside the mall to seek help.”
An initial search was conducted by Deputies. An investigation ensued, whereby an identification of the three suspects was obtained.
The next morning, Deputies Phillip and Collas found and detained suspects 1 and 3. Later, shortly after 2 PM, suspect 2 was spotted near Seneca Road and El Evado Road, carrying a duffle bag with a partially-exposed firearm.
Upon Deputy Phillip’s approach, the suspect fled. A 10-minute foot pursuit involved additional deputies.
The nearby West Palms Conservatory was locked down during the chase occurring near the time of students’ dismissal.
During the pursuit, a bystander witnessed the armed duffle bag dropped near Seneca Road and Hopi Drive. Suspect 2 was captured near an apartment complex on Seneca Road.
The firearm was located and collected as evidence. The school lockdown was lifted.
“All three suspects were arrested,” said Rodriguez. “Suspects 1 and 3 will be booked into High Desert Juvenile Detention Center for strong-arm robbery. Suspect 2 will be booked into High Desert Juvenile Detention Center for strong-arm robbery, evading a Peace Officer, and possession of a firearm.”
The names of the juvenile suspects and victim will remain anonymous.
Anyone with information about this ongoing investigation is urged to contact Deputy L. Phillip at the Victorville Police Department (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch (760) 956-5001. To remain anonymous, call We-Tip Hotline 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information via the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
