A Yucca Valley couple who left their three children home alone while they allegedly stole a vehicle were arrested Sunday. According to a Sheriff’s report, Michelle Minerd, 30, and Brendan Ellison, 31, went to the Arco gas station in the 58100 block of Yucca Valley about 3 a.m. Sunday. While the driver of a U-Haul truck was inside the store paying for gas, Minerd and Ellison allegedly got in the vehicle and drove it away. Deputies found the vehicle in the 7600 block of Victoria Avenue in Yucca Valley and contacted Ellison and Minerd inside the U-Haul. Deputies searched Ellison and found methamphetamine and cash on his person. Inside the home were three children, along with more meth and drug paraphernalia, all within reach of the kids. Michelle Minerd and Brendan Ellison were arrested for investigation of possession of methamphetamine for sales and child endangerment, along with miscellaneous warrants, booked into the West Valley Detention Center, with their bail set at $100,000 each.
