Authorities are turning to the public for aid in a robbery case involving a group of suspects and a juvenile victim. The recent incident, which took place on the evening of May 31, left a 16-year-old boy assaulted and robbed in Apple Valley. The San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department disclosed that approximately 12 individuals, both male and female, were implicated in the attack that occurred around 8:50 p.m. near the Civic Center Park on Wakita Boulevard.
The victim was accosted by three Black females and nine Black males, believed to be between the ages of 16 to 25. The assailants stole the victim's necklace and wallet after a physical altercation that left the teenager on the ground. According to the official account from the Sheriff-Coroner Department, "A female in the group ripped the victim's necklace off his neck, and a male punched the victim on the right side of his head. The victim fell to the ground and was repeatedly punched and kicked by the subjects."
Following the robbery, the group proceeded to use the victim's debit card at a local liquor store, making three separate purchases. The store's surveillance footage suggested the involvement of a Black female juvenile who carried out the transactions, accompanied by various Black male juveniles. However, none of the suspects' identities have been confirmed; hence, investigators have released photos and are enlisting community assistance to identify the parties involved.
Detective Kevin Riberich is leading the investigation, and officials urge anyone with information to reach out to him directly at the Apple Valley Station by calling (760) 240-7400 or to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. For those wishing to maintain anonymity, they can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com. The case, numbered 182502752, remains under active investigation, as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and solicit leads from the public.
