A Rialto community was on edge when a man, later identified as Corey James Dawley, was arrested on a slew of charges after a wild chase that ended in an elderly man's closet. According to an incident report from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the chase started after deputies responded to a call about a residential burglary on Sycamore Avenue at around 4:49 p.m. on May 4.
Despite a thorough search with aviation and canine units, Dawley evaded the initial capture after being discovered in the closet—he fled, climbed over fences, and disappeared, later that evening, a second 9-1-1 call led authorities to a home on Magnolia Avenue, where a 92-year-old man reported being held hostage by a man matching Dawley's description. As the scared resident was provided aid, members from the Fontana Station worked to identify Dawley using Sheriff's databases, the dogged detectives put in the hours and swiftly issued a warrant for his arrest.
Two days later, on May 8, the Fontana Station Detective Bureau and Multiple Enforcement Team located Dawley as he was leaving a San Bernardino residence and apprehended him during what officials described as a "felony traffic stop." He was booked into Central Detention Center on multiple felony counts including residential burglary, resisting arrest with force, home invasion, and elder abuse. Dawley, a 52-year-old San Bernardino local, currently sits behind bars, with authorities believing he is linked to additional burglaries in the area.
Individuals with any information related to the incidents, or other potential victims of Dawley, are strongly encouraged to step forward and contact the Fontana Sheriff's Station or submit tips anonymously through the We-Tip Hotline and website.
