Full Notification

Between December 22, 2025, and December 28, 2025, deputies from the Colorado River Station / Needles Police conducted multiple investigations that led to the arrest of the following individuals throughout the jurisdiction of the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station:

ARLENE UNDERWOOD, 70 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 7:15 a.m., deputies contacted ARLENE UNDERWOOD during a call for service near the 1000 block of Lillyhill Drive reference a fire.  During the investigation, UNDERWOOD was found to be in violation of H&S11364(A)-Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia and H&S11550(A)-Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance.  UNDERWOOD was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  UNDERWOOD was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

GABRIEL VARGOS, 31 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 9:24 p.m., deputies contacted GABRIEL VARGOS during a traffic enforcement stop near Broadway St and Needles HWY. During the stop, VARGOS was found to be in violation of CVC12500(A)-Driving Without a License. VARGOS was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene with a future court date.   

RUBEN MEDRANO, 52 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at approximately 8:36 p.m., deputies contacted RUBEN MEDRANO during a call for service on the 1900 block on Erin Street. During the call, MEDRANO was found to have an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for PC3459- PRCS Probation Violation. MEDRANO was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. MEDRANO remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail, awaiting a court hearing. 

NATHAN SCHULTZ, 33 Years Old, Resident of Yucaipa, CA
On Thursday, December 25, 2025, at approximately 3:50 a.m., deputies contacted NATHAN SCHULTZ during a traffic enforcement stop near the intersection of I Street and Broadway Street. During the stop, SCHULTZ was found to be in violation of PC2800.2- Felony Evading and PC496- Possession of Stolen Property. SCHULTZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. SCHULTZ remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with $50,000 bail, awaiting a court hearing. 

RICARDO MONTALVAN, 50 Years Old, Resident of Colton, CA
On Friday, December 26, 2025, at approximately 6:17 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers contacted RICARDO MONTALVAN during a call for service on the east bound I40 and mile marker 133.  During the call, MONTALVAN was found to be in violation of CVC23153(A)-Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with Crash Causing Injury and CVC23153(B)- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with Crash Causing Injury a Blood Alcohol Content over .08%. MONTALVAN was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. MONTALVAN remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with $25,000 bail, awaiting a court hearing.

RHONDA FACKLAM, 66 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 11:25 a.m., deputies contacted RHONDA FACKLAM during a knock and notice call near the 200 block of Chestnut Street. During the call, FACKLAM was found to have an active $50,000 misdemeanor warrant for VC23152(F)- Driving under the Influence of Drugs. FACKLAM was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene with a future court date.

LAWRENCE SANTANA, 62 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 5:13 p.m., deputies contacted LAWRENCE SANTANA during a call for service on the 200 block on Peru Street. During the call, SANTANA was found to be in violation of PC1203.2- Probation Violation. SANTANA was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. SANTANA remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail, awaiting a court hearing. 

SAMUEL BAKER, 16 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Sunday, December 28, 2025, at approximately 12:24 p.m., deputies contacted SAMUEL BAKER during a traffic enforcement stop near Chestnut Street and North K Street. During the stop, BAKER was found to be in violation of CVC12500(A)-Driving Without a License. BAKER was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene with a future court date.   

DANIEL WOLFF, 24 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Sunday, December 28, 2025, at approximately 2:50 p.m., deputies contacted DANIEL WOLFF during a call for service on the 200 block of Oak Circle. During the investigation, WOLFF was found to be in violation of PC69(A)- Resisting and Obstructing Officer and PC242- Battery on a Person. WOLFF was subsequently arrested and transported to the High Desert Detention Center for booking. WOLFF remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with $30,000 bail, awaiting a court hearing.

JEREMY VALDEZ, 24 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Sunday, December 28, 2025, at approximately 7:45 p.m., deputies contacted JEREMY VALDEZ during a call for service reference a disturbance near the 1000 block of Lillyhill Dr.  During the investigation, VALDEZ was found to be in violation of PC647(F)-Disorderly Conduct/Public Intoxication.  VALDEZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. VALDEZ was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date.


The necessity to cite release arrestees is a result of several law changes and voter approved propositions over the last few years. In 2011, Assembly Bill 109 was passed by the legislature. This bill sent thousands of state prisoners to local jails, resulting in county jail overcrowding. Because of lawsuits capping the county jail population, it became necessary to release county jail inmates that were once held in custody. In 2014, the California voters passed Proposition 47, referred to as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. This proposition reduced many crimes to misdemeanors such as Grand Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Shoplifting, Forgery, Burglary, and Drug Possession. With a court mandated cap on the county jail inmate population, it is now necessary to cite release certain arrestees to adhere to the inmate population mandates.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to a proactive approach to suppressing crime in the City of Needles.  Anyone with additional information regarding these investigations or any others are urged to contact the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station at (760) 326 - 9200.  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.

For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Facebook and/or Instagram at SBCSD Colorado River Station or X at: @CORiverStation.

For all EMERGENCIES dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center (909) 387- 8313. This number should be used to report a crime not in progress or to request a deputy.

Refer: Jacob Gault, Captain
Colorado River Station
Phone No: (760) 326-9200

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