Arrests made after violent attack at Yucca Valley Sonic
YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Three people have been arrested following a violent attack on employees at a Sonic Drive-In in Yucca Valley, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies from the Morongo Basin Station responded to the restaurant at approximately 9:49 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, after receiving a 911 call reporting that several customers were assaulting employees inside the restaurant.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the incident began with an altercation at the drive-thru window. Three suspects then exited their vehicle and entered the restaurant, where they assaulted three employees.
One 21-year-old female employee was reportedly attacked by all three suspects and had her cell phone taken during the incident.
A 21-year-old male employee was assaulted by one of the male suspects and suffered serious injuries that required treatment at a local hospital. An 18-year-old male employee was also assaulted and sustained minor injuries.
The family of one of the employees spoke with News Channel 3 about what happened last week.
The suspects fled the restaurant in a vehicle before deputies arrived.
Investigators with the Morongo Basin Station assumed the case and used automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology, along with law enforcement databases, to identify the suspect vehicle and develop investigative leads.
Authorities said the technology helped investigators identify all three suspects and obtain arrest warrants.
Investigators and deputies later served a search warrant at a residence in Joshua Tree. During the search, two adult suspects were located and arrested on suspicion of robbery under California Penal Code section 211.
One of the adult suspects, a 45-year-old woman from Desert Hot Springs, is being held without bail, according to the Sheriff's Department. The second adult suspect is a 29-year-old woman from Joshua Tree.
Investigators later located the third suspect, a 17-year-old male from Desert Hot Springs. The juvenile was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery causing serious injuries under California Penal Code section 243(d) and booked into San Bernardino County Juvenile Hall.
The attack was captured on video, which is now circulating on social media. News Channel 3 is not showing the video because no one has been charged in connection with the incident.
Social media posts also allege that the people involved were a family, including a juvenile who attends Desert Hot Springs High School.
News Channel 3 has also learned a Desert Hot Springs student athlete was absent from a recent football game. The student’s current status on the team is unclear.
Palm Springs Unified School District said it is aware of social media posts about the incident.
In a message to families, the district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and that any appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
The Sheriff's Department said the investigation highlights the use of ALPR technology and law enforcement databases to identify suspect vehicles, develop leads and assist investigators.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip or by texting “REPORT” to (844) 909-3006.
