Full Notification

Between October 19, 2026, and October 25, 2026, 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:

CHRISTOPHER ARQUERO, 28 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 1:45 p.m., San Bernardino County Probation officers contacted CHRISTOPHER ARQUERO during a probation check near the 1200 block of Riverview Lane.  During the investigation, ARQUERO was found to be in violation of PC1203.2 – Violation of Probation.  ARQUERO was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  ARQUERO remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail, awaiting a court hearing.

JEREMY VALDEZ, 25 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Monday, October 19, 2026, at approximately 7:40 p.m., deputies contacted JEREMY VALDEZ during a call for service near the 1000 block of Lillyhill Drive.  During the investigation, VALDEZ was found to have two outstanding warrants for his arrest for PC647(F)-Disorderly Conduct-Public Intoxication and PC459-Burglary.  VALDEZ was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  VALDEZ remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with no bail, awaiting a court hearing.

PHARELL JONES, 18 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at approximately 11:21 a.m., deputies contacted PHARELL JONES during a traffic enforcement stop near 3rd Street and D Street.  During the stop, JONES was found to be in violation of CVC12500(A)-Driving Without a License.  JONES was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene with a future court date. 

ERIC SMITH, 59 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at approximately 1:20 p.m., deputies contacted ERIC SMITH during a call for service reference a structure fire near the 300 block of W Broadway Street.  During the investigation, SMITH was found to be in violation of PC452(B)-Causing Fire of Inhabited Structure.  SMITH was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  SMITH remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on $40,000.00 bail, awaiting a court hearing.

RALPH YBARRA, 30 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at approximately 12:17 a.m., deputies contacted RALPH YBARRA during a call for service reference a domestic disturbance.  During the investigation, YBARRA was found to be in violation of PC236-False Imprisonment, PC422(A)-Criminal Threats, PC594(B)(1)-Vandalism over $400 and PC646.9(A)-Stalking.  YBARRA was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  SMITH remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on $40,000.00 bail, awaiting a court hearing.

JUSTIN GAGNER, 30 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at approximately 11:23 a.m., deputies contacted JUSTIN GAGNER in the lobby of the Colorado River Station.  During the contact, GAGNER was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest for PC148(A)-Obstructing a Police Officer.  GAGNER was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released at the scene with a future court date. 

DARON WRIGHT, 18 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at approximately 9:28 p.m., deputies contacted DARON WRIGHT during a traffic enforcement stop near North K Street and Needles Hwy.  During the stop, WRIGHT was found to be in violation of PC211-Robbery, PC245(A)(2)-Assault with a Firearm on a Person and PC422(A)-Criminal Threats.  WRIGHT was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  WRIGHT remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on $100,000.00 bail, awaiting a court hearing. 
CONFIDENTIAL MALE JUVENILE, 16 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at approximately 9:28 p.m., deputies contacted a 16-year-old male juvenile during a traffic enforcement stop near North K Street and Needles Hwy.  During the stop, the juvenile was found to be in violation of PC25850-Possession of a Loaded Firearm.  The juvenile was subsequently arrested, issued a citation, and released to a responsible party. 

MARCOUS SORRELLS, 42 Years Old, Resident of Big River, CA
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, at approximately 2:06 a.m., deputies contacted MARCOUS SORRELLS during a call for service near the 5000 block of Rio Vista Drive in Big River reference a disturbance.  During the investigation, SORRELLS was found to be in violation of PC242-Battery on a Person and was also found to have an outstanding warrant for CVC14601.1(A)-Driving on a Suspended License.  SORRELLS was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  SORRELLS was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

PAULA LUCAS, 63 Years Old, Resident of Quartzsite, AZ
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., deputies contacted PAULA LUCAS during a call for service reference a disturbance near the 2700 block of Parker Dam Rd.  During the investigation, LUCAS was found to be in violation of PC647(F)-Disorderly Conduct-Public Intoxication.  LUCAS was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  LUCAS was later issued a citation and released from the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with a future court date. 

JOSEPH BROWN, 33 Years Old, Resident of Needles, CA
On Friday, October 23, 2026, at approximately 8:52 a.m., deputies contacted JOSEPH BROWN during a traffic enforcement stop on the I40 west near mile marker 138.  During the stop, BROWN was found to have four outstanding warrants for his arrest for PC30305(A)(1)-Possession of Unlawful Ammunition, PC243(E)(1)-Spousal Battery, PC148(A)(1)-Obstructing an Officer, and PC12500(A)-Driving Without a License. BROWN was subsequently arrested and transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking.  BROWN remains in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on $60,000.00 bail, awaiting a court hearing.

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. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call or text "REPORT" to the WE-TIP Hotline at (844) 909-3096.  You may also leave anonymous information online using the We-Tip website link at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
 

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