Carjackers abandon victim in desert area

A driver in Twentynine Palms was approached and assaulted by carjackers at a stop sign Thursday night while driving with the vehicle’s windows down on Daisy Avenue near Highway 62.

The victim was reportedly punched in the side of the head by three or four men who forced their way into the vehicle around midnight.

The victim was forced to drive to an unknown area in the desert then told to exit the car and walk blindly into the desert, according to Public Information Officer Jodi Miller from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.

According to the report, the suspects took the victim’s wallet and cell phone. The victim made contact with police in Joshua Tree around 5:20 pm the next day.

At this time, the suspects are at large; anyone with information should call the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department at 760-366-4175.