Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 / 8:45 a.m.

INCIDENT: PC664/666.1 - Attempted Repeat Theft with Two or More Prior Convictions

LOCATION: 56100 Block of Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley

SUSPECT(S): Earnest Finister, 62-year-old male, resident of Yucca Valley

VICTIM(S): Confidential


SUMMARY: On November 5, 2024, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.”  Proposition 36 took effect on December 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for the increase in homelessness, drug addiction and thefts. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to enforce 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 was applied:

On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to the 56100 block of Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley to investigate the report of a suspicious male in a parking lot.  According to witnesses, the subject was manipulating door handles on several parked vehicles in a commercial parking lot.  A good samaritan intervened when they observed the male subject enter into an unlocked vehicle.

Deputy E. McKee from the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station responded to the location and detained a subject, identified as 62-year-old Earnest Finister of Yucca Valley.  During Deputy McKee's investigation, he corroborated witness statements with surveillance footage, which illustrated Finister attempting to enter multiple vehicles to commit a theft.  

Finister has an extensive criminal history with several arrests and or convictions, including grand theft,  petty theft, and robbery, and is currently on felony probation.  He was arrested for PC 666.1 - Repeat Thefts and violation of probation.  Finister was booked into West Valley Detention Center and is currently being held without bail.  

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, at (760) 366-4175. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or submit information online at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Deputy E. McKee

Station: Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. 760-366-4175

Case No. 232500384

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