A grim discovery along a lonely stretch of desert road near Twentynine Palms has turned into a homicide investigation, with deputies arresting a suspect after finding a man dead and partially seated in an overturned wheelchair.
San Bernardino County authorities said the body, believed to be that of a man about 60 years old, was found Friday morning on the side of a remote roadway. Investigators noted signs of trauma and concluded the victim had been killed elsewhere, then left in the desert.
What Detectives Say Happened
According to CBS Los Angeles, a passerby came across the body on Friday and called authorities. Deputies reportedly found trauma on the victim that led them to immediately treat the case as a homicide.
Investigators told the outlet they identified 38-year-old Jimmy Rodriguez as a suspect. They say Rodriguez and the victim were involved in a physical altercation in the city of Highland, an encounter detectives believe ultimately killed the man. Detectives told CBS Los Angeles they believe the suspect then drove nearly 100 miles and left the body along the remote road near Twentynine Palms.
Homicide Detail Leads the Probe
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division, which houses the Homicide Detail, is leading the investigation, according to the department's website. That division page lists the Homicide Detail's direct number as (909) 890-4904 for anyone with information about suspicious deaths or violent crimes. The department says detectives assigned to the detail investigate homicides and other serious cases across the county.
How to Report Tips
Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the county's We-Tip line at (844) 909-3006 or via the department's anonymous reporting portal. The county's We-Tip page features a web form that routes reports to local stations, including Twentynine Palms. Detectives urged anyone who may have seen the altercation in Highland or noticed the suspect's movements before the body was left in the desert to come forward.
Legal Note
Authorities say Jimmy Rodriguez, 38, was arrested and booked on murder charges and is being held without bail, according to CBS Los Angeles. The case is expected to be reviewed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, which will determine formal charges and set any arraignment dates.
