Full Notification

DATE/TIME: March 15, 2018 / 4:15 a.m.

INCIDENT: CVC 10851(a) - Vehicle Theft, CVC 2800.2 -Evading

LOCATION: 1100 block of 3rd Street, Needles

SUSPECT: 17-year-old male

VICTIM: Roadway Inn and Suites

SUMMARY:
In the early morning hours of Thursday, March 15, 2018, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department received a 911 call from an employee of the Roadway Inn Hotel in Needles reporting they left the vehicle running in front of the hotel while they entered the lobby to gather a guest’s luggage. While away from the van, a Hispanic male entered the courtesy van and drove rapidly away from the hotel.

The responding deputies located the van and attempted to initiate a traffic stop as it left the area of the hotel. The driver of the van, later identified as a 17-year-old male from Moreno Valley, California, refused to yield to the deputies and led them on a high-speed pursuit throughout Needles and eventually onto the eastbound Interstate 40 freeway.

The driver of the stolen van reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour on the I-40 freeway and nearly collided with an uninvolved motorist. The driver of the van drove into the center median, near the Park Moabi Rd off-ramp, and collided with the steep dirt embankment causing the vehicle to jump the hill and overturn, landing on its roof.

The juvenile was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was transported by medical personnel to the hospital for medical treatment.

The juvenile was charged with vehicle theft and evading a peace officer and was released to his parents at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The juvenile was issued a notice to appear in San Bernardino County Juvenile Court.

Refer: Detective Preston

Station: Colorado River Station

Phone No. 760-326-9200

Case No. 211800267

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department