Deputies have arrested one suspect in an attempted armed robbery of a Yucca Valley liquor store, and are asking for the public’s help in locating a second suspect. About 7 p.m. Tuesday, two men, identified as Anthony Kamakeeaina, 19, and Odell Shidie, 20, both of Desert Hot Springs, arrived at the Yucca Valley Liquor store in the 55900 block of 29 Palms Highway. They confronted two employees outside the store. Shidie forced one clerk inside the store at gunpoint; Kamakeeaina grabbed the other employee and forced him inside as well. Shidie demanded the clerks give him money from the register and then attempted to force open the cash register, at which time fired the gun one time into the floor. A fight broke out between the two employees and the suspects and the suspects fled in a silver Nissan, without any money or property. Detectives are still trying to determine if a woman who entered the store immediately prior to Kamakeeaina and Shidie is involved in the attempted robbery.
On Wednesday, a detective spotted a silver Nissan in Yucca Valley and followed it to Morongo Valley. Inside the car was Kamakeeaina. The deputy located evidence inside the car that linked Kamakeeaina to the attempted robbery in Yucca Valley Tuesday. Anthony Kamakeeaina was arrested for investigation of kidnapping to commit robbery, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $250,000. Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating Odell Shidie, who is considered armed and dangerous. If you see Shidie, call the Sheriff’s Department at 760-366-4175 or call the the WE-TIP hotline at 888-78-CRIME.
