Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Saturday, February 1, 2025 - 2:12 a.m.

INCIDENT: CVC 2800.2 - Felony Reckless Evading, HS 11395(b)(1) - Felony Possession of Hard Drug with Two or More Prior Convictions, HS 11370.1 - Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed, PC 29800(a)(1) Felon in Possession of Firearm

LOCATION: 58200 block Twentynine Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley

SUSPECT(S): Manuel Zamora Lopez, 44-Year-Old Resident of Yucca Valley

VICTIM(S): State of California

SUMMARY: On November 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” The proposition took effect on December 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to apply during arrests when appropriate. These new charges can carry enhanced sentencing, as well as prevent offenders from being cite released prior to their court appearance. The following is an arrest where Proposition 36 is applied:

On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at approximately 2:12 a.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station observed a red Chevy Avalanche near the intersection of Balsa Avenue and Twentynine Palms Highway with an equipment violation and initiated a traffic enforcement stop. The driver, later identified as Manuel Lopez, failed to yield and led deputies on a pursuit for approximately 2.7 miles. During the pursuit, Lopez recklessly ran a red light and multiple stop signs and threw a loaded firearm out of the passenger window. The vehicle came to a stop near the intersection of Yucca Trail and Barberry Avenue, where the pursuit ended. Lopez was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and multiple rounds of ammunition. Deputies recovered the loaded firearm.

Lopez was taken into custody for felony reckless evading, possession of a controlled substance with two or more convictions, possession of a controlled substance while armed, felon in possession of a firearm, and for multiple outstanding traffic warrants. He was booked at Morongo Basin Jail and transferred to West Valley Detention Center, where he is being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station at 760-366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.


Refer: Deputy N. Hospodar

Station: SBCSD Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. 760-366-4175

Case No. 232500164

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department