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The man alleged to have taken a deputies gun and used a child as a human shield is being arraigned today on seven felony charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, and child abuse.
On Thursday (May 8) at around 11:30 p.m., a deputy from the Morongo Basin Station attempted a traffic stop on a Hyundai traveling eastbound on Twentynine Palms Highway near Barberry Avenue in Yucca Valley. The deputy said the driver, identified as Robert Richardson, a 24 year-old resident of Moreno Valley. reached for a weapon inside of the car then attempted to take the deputies firearm, at which point struggle began and Richardson returned to the car and fled with the deputy following in pursuit.
Deputies say that Richardson drove eastbound and often drove into oncoming traffic, driving into the direct path of six vehicles before the pursuit ended on Twentynine Palms Highway and California Avenue in Joshua Tree.
They say that Richardson then exited the vehicle with a juvenile and held the victim between himself and law enforcement, making homicidal threats to the child.
A struggle ensued as Sheriff’s Deputies separated Richardson from the juvenile and they eventually detained the suspect.
Robert Richardson is being arraigned on felony charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, causing or permitting a child to suffer, false imprisonment, felony evading, and two charges of resisting arrest. He remains held on $1,060,000 bail.
The Morongo Basin Station is seeking witnesses to the arrest and the pursuit. If you saw any part of the incident, they ask that you contact 760)-366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com
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