Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, December 9, 2020 / 1:45 pm

INCIDENT: Shoplifting, Kidnapping and Possession of a Controlled Substance

LOCATION: 18821 Bear Valley Road, Apple Valley

SUSPECT: Aaron Munoz, 28-year-old resident of San Bernardino

VICTIM(S): Ulta Beauty
Confidential: 40-year-old male


SUMMARY: On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 1:45 pm, deputies from the Apple Valley Police Department responded to a shoplifting call at Ulta Beauty on Bear Valley Road in the Town of Apple Valley. A store employee reported a subject, later identified as Aaron Munoz, entered the store and ran out with a Dyson hairdryer. As deputies arrived, a vehicle matching the description Munoz entered was located at Bear Valley Road and Reata Road and a traffic stop was conducted. Munoz was in the passenger seat and fled on foot. The driver/victim remained and advised deputies Munoz had a gun. Munoz was apprehended after a short foot pursuit and found to be in possession of methamphetamine. During a search of the area, deputies located a loaded handgun in the nearby shrubs.

After further investigation it was learned Munoz asked the victim to drive him to Ulta Beauty, so he could purchase something. Munoz entered the store and, while exiting with the hairdryer, dropped his cellphone. After leaving the location, Munoz realized he dropped his phone and demanded the victim take him back to find it. When the victim refused, Munoz pulled out a gun, pointed it at the victim and ordered him to drive back to the store.

Munoz was booked into High Desert Detention Center for Kidnapping, Shoplifting and Possession of a Controlled Substance while in Possession of a Loaded Firearm. He is scheduled to appear in the Victorville Superior Court on December 12, 2020 and is being held on $250,000 bail.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Gregory Guzman at the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Jackie Alban, Media Relations

Station: Apple Valley Police Department

Phone No. (760) 240-7400

Case No. 182005856

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