David Baumgaertel, 52, of Apple Valley, is accused of carjacking his wife and assaulting her during an incident Thursday evening. He was booked on suspicion of carjacking and domestic battery and also faces an alleged parole violation tied to a prior felony conviction, according to the account described below.
The Victorville Daily Press reported that San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department records placed the incident just after 6:45 p.m. Nov. 5 in the 13100 block of Topsanna Road in Apple Valley. The outlet reported that Baumgaertel was later apprehended in Hesperia.
What the report says happened
The Daily Press, citing Amber Hutton, reported that Baumgaertel assaulted his wife through the driver's-side window of her vehicle before taking the car. The woman got out and ran from the scene, according to the report.
According to the same account, deputies spotted the stolen car. He was arrested later that night near Danbury and I avenues in Hesperia, the outlet reported.
Booking and alleged parole violation
The Daily Press reported that Baumgaertel was booked on suspicion of carjacking and domestic battery and held without bail pending an initial court appearance. The outlet also reported that he is accused of violating parole terms stemming from a prior felony conviction.
Related local context and support
An unrelated Apple Valley carjacking case was documented in 2021: the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said deputies responded to a carjacking on the 12000 block of Standing Bear Road on Jan. 8 and that the office later filed charges against Robert Anthony Garcia. That case involved a different suspect and does not establish a local trend. For people seeking domestic-violence support in the area, the Family Assistance Program says it offers services including restraining-order assistance and advocacy. Its main office is at 15075 7th Street in Victorville.
No court record or official sheriff statement was independently reviewed to verify the arrest, booking, bail status, or alleged parole violation beyond what the Daily Press reported. The outlet's report remains the sole account of Thursday's incident at this time.
