DATE/TIME: Monday, January 26, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m.
INCIDENT: CVC 2800.2(A) - Felony Evading
CVC 2800.4 - Felony Evading - Wrong Way Driver
LOCATION: City of Needles
SUSPECT(S): Joan Moises Valdez-Acuna, 26-years-old, Resident of Phoenix, AZ
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On Monday, January 26, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., deputies from the Colorado River Station / Needles Police Department assisted BNSF Railroad Police following a report of a possible train burglary in the area. Assistance was requested regarding a vehicle that fled the scene.
During the investigation, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white van believed to be associated with the incident. The driver failed to yield, leading deputies on a vehicle pursuit on the westbound I 40. During the pursuit, the driver crossed over the center median and began traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. Deputies paralleled the vehicle until the driver exited the van and fled on foot into the desert, leaving the vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the I 40. The unattended vehicle continued rolling and ultimately came to rest in the desert. Deputies pursued the suspect on foot and were able to apprehend him without further incident.
The suspect was identified as JOAN MOISES VALDEZ-ACUNA. He was arrested on the above mentioned charges and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking. Valdez-Acuna remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department with a bail amount of $300,000.00, awaiting a court hearing. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy R. Goff of the the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department at (760) 326-9200. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
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Refer: Deputy R. Goff
Station: Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department
Phone No. (760) 326-9200
Case No. 102600026
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
