Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 / 2:41 p.m. 

INCIDENT: PC 496(a) – Possession of a Stolen Firearm
PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
PC 245(a)(2) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit Crime

LOCATION: Powhatan Road & Yucca Loma Road, Apple Valley
Kiowa Road & Pah-Ute Road, Apple Valley

VICTIM(S): 19-year-old male of Apple Valley

SUSPECT(S): Ruben Salas, 27-year-old male of Apple Valley
Andrew James Beltran, 27-year-old male of Hesperia
Michael Paez, 42-year-old male of Apple Valley


SUMMARY: On Tuesday, June 26, 2024, deputies were dispatched to a report of a subject shooting a firearm in a residential neighborhood at Powhatan Road and Yakima Road in the town of Apple Valley. The caller reported a subject walking along the roadway was almost hit by a vehicle and the pedestrian shot at the vehicle.

Deputies D. Henderson and J. Chapdelaine, along with other deputies, responded to the area but were unable to locate any involved parties. However, deputies did find shell casings indicative of a shooting having occurred. 

At approximately 3:39 p.m., on the same day, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call of a disturbance at Kiowa Road and Caddo Road. Investigation into this incident by Deputy D. McCarter revealed the 19-year-old victim was shot at while driving his vehicle, causing him to drive off the roadway. 

At 3:43 p.m., Sgt B. Grimm conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of that in the original call on Powhatan Road, and detained the three occupants. A loaded, stolen firearm was found on the floorboard of the vehicle.

The investigation revealed the three suspects, Ruben Salas, Andrew James Beltran and Michael Paez, had driven the vehicle on Powhatan Road, almost hitting an unknown victim. The suspects then drove to the Kiowa Road area where the victim and his girlfriend were having a dispute. The suspects fired a gun at the victim, causing him to drive off the roadway.

All three suspects were arrested and transported to High Desert Detention Center. Ruben Salas was booked in for possession of stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit a crime, along with a warrant issued by the United States Marshall’s Office. Salas is being held without bail on the U.S. Marshall’s warrant.

Andrew James Beltran was booked in for possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime. Beltran is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Michael Paez was booked in for possession of stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm, assault with a firearm and conspiracy to commit a crime. Paez is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.

Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Henderson or Detective Fratt with Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station 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: Pamela Hoffman 
 
Station: Apple Valley  
 
Phone No: (760) 240-7428 
 
Case No. 182403078 & 182403085
 
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department