DATE/TIME: Sunday, March 5, 2023 / 2:32 p.m.
INCIDENT: Grand Theft Auto Recovery
LOCATION: 17880 Lords Road, Helendale
VICTIM: Confidential
SUSPECT: Richard Oliver Smith, 29-years old, Resident of Colton
SUMMARY: On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 2:32 p.m., deputies from the Barstow Sheriff's Station received a call from Toyota Safety Connect to report a stolen car pinging in the area.
Deputy Hancock, Corporal Pritchett, and Deputy Rivera arrived on to the area and a 2021 4-door white Toyota Camry that was stuck in the wash. Three unidentified people were attempting to dig the vehicle out of sand on the flood control access road, along the Mojave River.
Deputy Hancock used the vehicle identification number to positively identify the vehicle as stolen.
One of the subjects, identified as Richard Oliver Smith, admitted to driving the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and confirmed Smith did not have permission to be in possession of the vehicle.
Smith was arrested for Vehicle Code 10851- Grand Theft Auto and booked into the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto. Smith was also found to have an outstanding felony warrant out of Los Angeles County for grand theft auto from January of 2023.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Barstow Sheriff's Station at 760-256-4838. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy C. Hancock
Station: Barstow
Phone No. (760)256-4838
Case No. 082300377
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
