Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 11:51 a.m.

INCIDENT: Shooting at an occupied dwelling and possession of a controlled substance for sale

LOCATION: 700 block of Valley Avenue, Needles

SUSPECT(S): James Esposito, 30-year-old resident of Needles

VICTIM(S): Confidential

SUMMARY: On Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 11:51 a.m. Deputies from the Colorado River Sheriff’s station / Needles Police responded to the 700 block of Valley Avenue in the city of Needles for a report of a drive-by shooting. Deputies arrived and were provided with a detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle. No one was injured in the shooting.

Corporal Rivas located the suspect vehicle in an apartment parking lot in the 1500 block of Lillyhill Drive. The vehicle was occupied by James Esposito. Esposito was detained, and search warrants were served on an apartment and the vehicle. Evidence linking Esposito to the shooting and evidence indicating Esposito was involved in the selling of illegal substances were located.

Esposito was arrested and booked into the Colorado River station jail for shooting at an occupied dwelling and possession of a controlled substance for sale. He is being held on $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Abel or Corporal Rivas at the Colorado River station at (760)326-9200. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at: @CORiverStation.

Refer: Detective Abel

Station: Colorado River Sheriff's station

Phone No. (760) 326-9200

Case No. 212000694

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