In the early hours of August 19, 2024, a moment of altruism turned violent at the intersection of Larch Avenue and Slover Avenue in Bloomington when Dalton Alvarado, a 19-year-old from Pauma Valley, leveled guns at people who had stopped merely to offer assistance after a traffic accident. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the victims, whose identities remain confidential, were checking on the parties involved in the crash when Alvarado, wielding a rifle and a handgun, attacked one of them with the pistol and forcefully seized the vehicle of another before fleeing the scene.
Investigations into the violent carjacking and assault ensued, with Deputy Gentry of the Fontana Sheriff's Station providing the first response and medical assistance to the victim. Detectives later processed Alvarado's abandoned vehicle and managed to not only recover evidence that pegged him as the perpetrator but also to secure an arrest warrant. The multi-day operation to track down Alvarado finally culminated on August 28, when the authorities served a search warrant at a Palm Springs residence and took him into custody without further incident.
While executing the warrant, law enforcement officers also arrested 29-year-old Christopher Paipa, a resident of the same area who was on the property during the raid. Although Paipa was not involved in the carjacking, he was found to be a parolee at large in illegal possession of a firearm. Both men were booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino County, Alvarado on charges relating to the carjacking incident and Paipa for firearm possession and parole violations.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information about the incident to reach out. Concerned parties or witnesses can contact the Fontana Sheriff's Station directly or choose to provide tips anonymously through the We-Tip Hotline or its website.
