DATE/TIME: December 16, 2024, at approximately 12:55 p.m.
INCIDENT: Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, Felony Assault on a Peace Officer
LOCATION: 49500 block of Twentynine Palms Highway, Morongo Valley
SUSPECT(S): Stephen Bloomer, 57-year-old male resident of Twentynine Palms
VICTIM(S): Deputy Sheriff of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Officer of the California Highway Patrol
SUMMARY: On Monday, December 16, 2024, at approximately 12:55 p.m., deputies observed Stephen Bloomer driving his grey Corvette at a high rate of speed, westbound on Twentynine Palms Highway, near the intersection of Torres Avenue, in Joshua Tree. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Bloomer failed to yield and continued westbound on Twentynine Palms Highway. Due to Bloomer's erratic driving, speed, and in consideration of safety for the public, deputies cancelled the pursuit. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was able to locate Bloomer and his Corvette at the Circle K in Morongo Valley. The CHP officer attemtped to detain Bloomer. Bloomer reveresed his Corvette and struck the CHP vehicle. A deputy who was arriving to assist parked an occupied Sheriff's Department patrol vehicle near the Circle K property. Bloomer accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and rammed the occupied Sheriff's Department patrol vehicle. The deputy suffered minor injuries. A short time later
Bloomer was taken into custody and later booked into the West Valley Detention Center for the above listed charges.
The deputy was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital and has since been released. The CHP officer was not injured during the incident.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Deputy Richard Maldonado or Detective Tyler A. Bengard of the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station (760) 366-4175. 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
Refer: Deputy Richard Maldonado, or Detective Tyler A. Bengard
Station: Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station
Phone No. (760) 366-4175
Case No. 092402056
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
