Man working on broken-down vehicle robbed at gunpoint

A man who was working on his broken-down vehicle in the High Desert on Sunday evening had his bad night take a turn for the worse, when he was allegedly robbed by two men who approached him on the side of the road.

Deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said the robbery occurred in Landers at about 8:30 p.m. in the area of Highway 247 and Dixie Mine Road. The two suspects, identified as Michael Riddle and Albert Villarreal, were arrested about two hours later following a vehicle and foot pursuit.

The suspects are accused of stealing the victim’s car battery and a bag of tools. When the victim tried to stop them, Riddle allegedly pulled a gun on him before both suspects drove away in a dark-colored Volvo, according to the sheriff’s release.

Just after 10 p.m., authorities located the car driving south on Highway 247. The suspects didn’t pull the car over and a chase took place for about 15 miles through Landers and Yucca Valley. Riddle and Villareal drove into the Apache Mobile Home Park, located at 56254 Twentynine Palms Highway, where they ditched the car and tried to escape deputies on foot.

Deputies found both suspects and arrested them.

According to the sheriff’s department, Riddle was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail and is being held without bail on charges of violating his probation, robbery and felony evading. Villarreal was also booked at the Morongo Basin Jail and is being held on $225,000 bail for robbery and bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 760 366-4175.