Yucca Valley man accused of burning and torturing victim
A Yucca Valley man was in custody Friday morning accused in an attempted murder where the alleged victim was bound, burned, and tortured.
San Bernardino County Sheriffs Detectives arrested Steven Perez, 35, Thursday while serving a series of search warrants in Yucca Valley and say they recovering evidence related to the alleged crime.
Deputies said Perez lured the unidentified victim to an apartment along the 7400 block of Bannock Trail in Yucca Valley on May 18.
Once inside, detectives say Perez beat and bound the victim's hands and feet. He then locked the person inside a room where the windows were barricaded with wood to prevent escape. The victim was then burned and tortured, according to detectives, then freed 12 hours later.
Authorities were notified after being called to an assault report at the High Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree on Wednesday. Deputies said they contacted the victim, who was found to have multiple physical injuries.
An arrest warrant was obtained and Perez was reportedly arrested without incident Thursday. Perez was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail and being held in lieu of $250,000.00 bail.
Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Detective T. Gates of the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station (760)366-4175. Callers wishing to stay anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME(27463).
