In an incident that veers sharply into the bizarre and dangerous, 49-year-old Lynwood resident Omar Hernandez is facing severe charges for allegedly stealing a truck, all while a victim lay sleeping in the attached camper, and subsequently leading San Bernardino County deputies on a pursuit that ended in multiple vehicle collisions and an on-foot chase.
According to details from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, the law enforcement response began on July 23 when a call for help came in around 6:30 p.m.; the driver had reported his truck being commandeered by an unknown assailant as he slept in the camper, KTLA reported. With air support from the sheriff's aviation unit, the stolen vehicle was spotted at the intersection of Highway 395 and Seneca Road in Adelanto, and when deputies attempted to intervene, Hernandez reportedly spurred a chaotic pursuit, refusing to yield and hitting four other vehicles before ditching the truck to escape on foot but not for long as he was rapidly apprehended by law enforcement officers.
The victim, found in the attached camper, was mercifully unharmed in the ordeal. Hernandez is now being held accountable for kidnapping, vehicle theft, and failure to yield, according to Nixle's news release. The string of alleged crimes led Hernandez to the High Desert Detention Center, where he remains as the investigation continues.
While the investigation is ongoing and few details have emerged since the arrest, authorities are appealing to the public for additional information connected to the case, calling on anyone who might shed more light to reach out to Deputy T. Baca at the Victor Valley station, including anonymous tips which can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com, those seeking more information on the incident or looking to offer help are encouraged to make use of the various contact options provided.
