Three Yucca Valley men and a woman were arrested following a burglary last week. According to Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Arthurton, on Wednesday, David Scholar reported a burglary of his business in the 55600 block of Yucca Trail. Scholar said that the door had been forced open, and between $20,000 and $50,000 in antiques, doors, windows, building materials, and other items had been stolen. Scholar and another resident later discovered that a man had sold some of the stolen items to local antique shops. The Sheriff’s department then set up an undercover operation to buy some of the remaining stolen items. According to Arthurton, about 9:30 a.m. Friday, Justin Channell, 29, of Yucca Valley, arrived at the operation location to sell some antiques. Deputies detained Channell until Scholar arrived, who identified the items as his stolen property. Information obtained during the investigation led deputies to a home in the 56300 block of Antelope Trail where they discovered more stolen property, although several thousand dollars worth of property remains missing. Also at the home were Eric Hansen, 47, Cory Rifenbery, 24, and Barbara Gordan, all of Yucca Valley. Hansen had a $5,000 warrant for his arrest and was found to be a felon in possession of tear gas. Eric Hansen is being held at the Morongo Basin jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. Cory Rifenbery is being held at the Morongo Basin Jail without bail on a warrant for felony spouse abuse. Barbara Gordan was cited and released for possession of narcotic paraphernalia. Justin Channell was arrested for investigation of commercial burglary and was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail with his bail set at $25,000.
