Yucca Valley fast food worker shot in the head; police search for two suspects
A pair of armed robbers got what they wanted, then escalated the violence, leaving a Yucca Valley fast food worker for dead before running off.
“There’s only one place that’s open all night and, honestly, this isn’t such a good area. A bunch of ‘crackheads’ come in at night,” former Castaneda’s restaurant employee Micah Ramirez said.
The robbery happened around 4:30 a.m. on Monday at the Castaneda’s Mexican Food restaurant on Highway 62 east of Palm Avenue.
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Two light-skinned Hispanic men wearing hoods covering their faces went into the restaurant and approached a man who was working.
One man was armed with a small handgun, and the other appeared to have either a rifle or shotgun. The robbers demanded money from the registers. The employee handed over the cash, then even emptied his own wallet when the robbers demanded that as well.
After getting the money, one robber opened fire, striking the worker in the head. After the victim was on the ground, the gunman fired again, this time missing the victim. Both robbers ran out of the restaurant.
“They should have more than one person working at night. That way, there’s somebody in the back, there’s somebody who can run and call the cops or even have a weapon. That way if something happens they can defend themselves,” Ramirez said.
The employee was taken to a local hospital for treatment, but was later transferred to a trauma center. Employees told CBS Local 2 and News Channel 3, Tuesday, the victim is conscious and able to speak.
Surveillance footage from the restaurant was turned into police.
Deputies ask anyone with information on the suspects to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anonymous tips can also be left at the We-Tip Hotline at 1-888-78-CRIME or online here.
