A high-speed chase ensued Sunday morning in Adelanto after deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department attempted to pull over what was confirmed to be a stolen white Toyota Camry. According to a press release from the department, the incident began near Bartlett Avenue and US Highway 395 when the driver, a 14-year-old male juvenile, swerved towards oncoming traffic in what seemed to be an attempt to collide head-on with the deputy's vehicle.
The deputy, identified as Deputy Villasenor, initiated the pursuit at 10:00 A.M. following the dangerous maneuver by the juvenile. Despite efforts to stop the vehicle, the young driver accelerated to speeds of over 110 mph, leading law enforcement through Victorville and onto the northbound 15 Freeway. The chase continued until the suspects reached Barstow where, due to a failed transmission, their vehicle crashed, ultimately ending the pursuit.
Upon apprehension, four juveniles were found inside the stolen vehicle, ranging in age from 14 to 16. Three were identified as known gang members, an unsettling detail pointing to the complexities of youth crime in the region. The two eldest juveniles, both 16 years old, were residents of Los Angeles and West Covina. The second youngest, a 15-year-old male, hailed from Plascencia, while the youngest and driver of the vehicle, was an Arcadia resident. According to the Sheriff-Coroner Department's release, the 14-year-old driver and the 15-year-old who had initially stolen the vehicle from a family member were both booked at the High Desert Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center following their arrest. The other two occupants of the Camry were released into the custody of their parents.
Charges facing the juveniles include grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon, and accessory to a crime, among others. The Sheriff-Coroner Department has not only requested community assistance for further details regarding the incident but also encourages any with information to contact Deputy J. Villasenor at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, or anonymously through We-Tip.
