Sharp eyes and a good memory by a Sheriff’s sergeant led to the arrest of at least two people suspected in an armed robbery in Morongo Valley in April. Early Thursday morning, Sergeant Trevis Newport was patrolling in Yucca Valley when he saw a car, belonging to people suspected of being involved in the robbery, drive westbound on the highway. Sergeant Newport followed the car and made a felony traffic stop near Ramona Trail in Morongo Valley. Newport, assisted by Deputy Mike Abel, pulled two women out of the car at gunpoint, and arrested Sandra Beneke, 41, of Morongo Valley, for investigation of aiding and abetting. Futher investigation led to a home in the 11600 block of Rosewood Avenue in Morongo Valley. There, they arrested Morris McCormies, 37, on suspicion of armed robbery. Sheriffs said two men and a woman entered a home April 18 in the 50200 block of Oak Drive in Morongo Valley and threatened the resident with a gun, telling him he had just four days to vacate the premises. The robbers stole a number of items and told the victim if he called police he would be dead. On June 16, McCormies’ suspected partner in the robbery, David Wilson, was arrested for investigation of another armed robbery from February. Morris McCormies and David Wilson are both being held at West Valley Detention Center. McCormies’ bail is set at $450,000. David Wilson’s total bail is $2.35 million.
