DATE/TIME: December 24, 2025, 3:14 a.m.
INCIDENT: Robbery Arrest
LOCATION: Circle K, 18465 State Highway 18, Apple Valley
SUSPECT(S): Michael Santacruz, 29-year-old male from Barstow
SUMMARY:
On December 24, 2025, deputies with the Apple Valley Station responded to Circle K, 18465 State Highway 18, after a clerk reported he was assaulted by an unknown male and about $100 was stolen from the cash register. The suspect fled the location before deputies arrived. The clerk sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical services at the scene. Michael Santacruz was identified as the suspect, and an arrest warrant was authored.
On January 15, 2026, investigators with the Apple Valley Detective Bureau located Santacruz and he was detained without incident. Santacruz was transported to High Desert Detention Center where he was booked for robbery and a probation violation. Santacruz is being held without bail.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact the Apple Valley Police 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 leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Taylor Reynolds
Station: Apple Valley
Phone No: (760) 240-7428
Case No. 182506508
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department
