Updated 6/28 7:00 a.m.
On Thursday morning at approximately 8 a.m. San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of in-progress vandalism and arson at the Stater Brothers West location in Yucca Valley. According to the Sheriff’s press release, the suspect – identified as Jerry Whitehurst, 39 – fled on foot into the parking lot and into a pickup truck that did not belong to him. Whitehurst is said to have barricaded himself inside the truck and he claimed to have a gun and an explosive device.
Local businesses were evacuated and a perimeter was setup in the shopping center. Dumosa and Barberry Ave were closed between Highway 62 and Yucca Trail.
Members of the Sheriff’s Department’s Specialized Enforcement Division and SWAT teams responded to the scene, alongside negotiators. Ultimately, Whitehurst exited the vehicle and was taken into custody nearly 4 hours later. The vehicle and scene were rendered safe, according to the sheriff’s department.
The scene after the standoff at the Stater Bros location had broken glass and evidence of a fire extinguisher being discharged in front of the building.
Jerry Whitehurst, 39, was arrested for arson, vehicle theft, vandalism and defacement of property.
Update 1:32 p.m.: Reporter Gabriel Hart has confirmed that Dumosa Ave. and Barberry Ave. are both reopened and clear, and the police tape and law enforcement blocking access to the shopping center around the Stater Bros. has been lifted.
There was still broken glass and broken liquor bottles near the entrance to the store, and glass was in process of being replaced.
Update 12:15 p.m.: San Bernardino County Sheriff has confirmed that the suspect in the standoff at the Stater Bros. West location has been taken into custody around 12:15 p.m. today.
Public Information Officer Gloria Huerta says that Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call around 8 a.m. this morning to the location, where the suspect was already inside the Stater Bros. location and had allegedly broken through a glass door and began starting fires. The suspect then exited the store and barricaded himself inside a vehicle in the parking lot.
Deputies from the Morongo Basin Station along with SWAT was confirmed to be on scene.
Z107.7 Listener Richard sent these photos of the standoff, showing the SWAT and police presence on scene before the suspect was apprehended.
Law enforcement responded to reports of a man allegedly making threats and damaging property at the Stater Bros. west location in Yucca Valley this morning around 8 a.m. The shopping center that surrounds the Stater Bros. was closed off with police tape, and Sheriff’s deputies, CHP, and law enforcement in military uniforms could be spotted in the parking lot.
Highway 62 remains open in both directions, though traffic is slower in that area so use caution.
As of 11:50 a.m., Dumosa Ave and Barberry Ave are completely closed off between Yucca Trail and Highway 62.
In addition to Sheriff’s cruisers, CHP and some military vehicles can be spotted at the location. There doesn’t appear to be any active enforcement going on around a pickup truck in the parking lot that was the focus of Sheriff’s Deputies this morning.
This is a developing story and we’ve reached out to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s department for more information, and when we can confirm details of this morning’s incident we’ll share them online and on air at 107.7FM.
