Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 9:49 p.m.

INCIDENT: PC 211, Robbery and PC 243(d), Aggravated Battery Causing Serious Injuries 

LOCATION: Sonic Drive-In, Yucca Valley 

SUSPECT 1: Lakisha Towner, 45-year-old female, resident of Desert Hot Springs
SUSPECT 2: Dejaa Davis, 29-year-old female, resident of Joshua Tree
SUSPECT 3: Confidential- 17-year-old male, resident of Desert Hot Springs

VICTIM 1: 21-year-old female
VICTIM 2: 21-year-old male
VICTIM 3: 18-year-old male 

                      
SUMMARY: Automated License Plate Reader-Assisted Investigation Leads to Arrests After Violent Attack on Local Yucca Valley Sonic Employees

Yucca Valley, CA - On Monday, September 14, 2026, at about 9:49 p.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, responded to the Sonic Drive-In, located in Yucca Valley, following a 911 report of several customers assaulting employees inside the restaurant.  Deputies immediately responded and initiated their investigation shortly after the suspects fled the location in a vehicle.  

Following the initial altercation at the drive-thru window, the three suspects exited their vehicle and entered the restaurant, where they assaulted three employees.  One employee was violently and simultaneously attacked by all three suspects and was robbed of her cell phone during the incident.  A second employee was assaulted by a male suspect and sustained serious injuries, which required medical treatment at a local hospital.  A third employee was also assaulted and suffered minor injuries.

As a result of this violent attack against Sonic employees, investigators from the Morongo Basin Station assumed the investigation.  Utilizing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology and law enforcement databases, investigators identified all three suspects involved and obtained arrest warrants for the suspects.

Investigators and deputies served a search warrant at a residence in Joshua Tree related to the investigation.  During the search warrant service, 45-year-old Desert Hot Springs resident Lakisha Towner and 29-year-old Joshua Tree resident Dejaa Davis were located and arrested for robbery (PC 211).  As a result of Towner’s arrest, she is currently being held without bail.  Subsequent to the arrests of Towner and Davis, investigators and deputies located the 17-year-old male juvenile involved with the case.  The juvenile was arrested for PC 243(d), Aggravated Battery Causing Serious Injuries, and booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to safeguarding the community and ensuring those who commit crimes are held accountable.  Through a combination of thorough investigative work, ALPR technology, and law enforcement intelligence databases, investigators were able to identify suspect vehicles, develop leads, and identify all involved suspects.  These tools continue to play a vital role in supporting victims, improving investigative outcomes, and enhancing public safety throughout the Morongo Basin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Morongo Basin Station, at (760) 366-4175.  Those wishing to remain anonymous may submit information through We-Tip or text “REPORT” to (844) 909-3006.





Refer: Detectives S. Ables | D. Rodriguez

Station:  Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. 760-366-4175

Case No.  232601501


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