Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Friday, March 19, 2021, at 10:50 pm

INCIDENT: Felony Evading, Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed, Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale.

LOCATION: Dale Evans Parkway and Zuni Road, Apple Valley

SUSPECT(S): 1. Francisco Jacob Esquer a 28-year-old resident of Santa Ana
2. Gailyn Hartman-Garcia, a 26-year-old resident of Huntington Beach


SUMMARY: On Friday, March 19, 2021, at approximately 10:50 pm, Detective R. Dutra, with the Apple Valley Police Department, was working traffic enforcement detail when he observed a vehicle run a stop sign at the intersection of Dale Evans Parkway and Thunderbird Road. Dutra attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as Francisco Esquer, failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued.

Esquer, a convicted felon, led deputies on a 6-mile pursuit where he exceeded the posted speed limit, failed to stop at posted stop signs, and drove on the opposite side of the road, nearly colliding into a vehicle. The pursuit ended when Esquer stopped at a residence in the 20000 block of Waladi Road. Both Esquer and his passenger, Gailyn Hartman-Garcia, were taken into custody without further incident. During the search of the vehicle, deputies located a stolen, loaded semi-automatic handgun, over $3600 in cash, methamphetamine, fentanyl, marijuana, and a digital scale.

Esquer and Hartman-Garcia were transported to High Desert Detention Center and booked on suspicion of felony evading, receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance while armed, and possession of a controlled substance for sales. In addition to these charges, Esquer was booked on a felony warrant out of Orange County and is currently out on bail. Hartman-Garcia is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on March 23, 2021.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective R. Dutra 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 the 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. 182101369

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