VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Deputies arrested two transients on parole after they carjacked an elderly man in old town Victorville, officials said.
It happened on January 6, 2020, at about 3:17 pm in the area of Union and Center Streets when the victim, a 67-year-old man, stopped his 1996 Ford Explorer to check something on the side of the road.
The elderly man had his back turned when two suspects, later identified as Derek Cortez, 24, and Jonathan Suttle, 23, both transients, got into the victim’s car.
Officials said the victim attempted to stop the suspect driver and was hit in the face.
“During his struggle with that suspect, the other suspect approached him from behind and used a stun device on him. The two drove off in the car, leaving the victim at the scene, stated a sheriff’s news release.
Deputies conducted an extensive search of the area but were not able to find the vehicle or suspects.
At approximately 12:21 am on January 7, 2020, Deputy S. Taylor was on patrol near 7th Street and Forrest Avenue when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the Explorer.
Taylor conducted a traffic stop and confirmed it was the carjacked vehicle. Inside the Explorer deputies located a stun device, a license plate that had been removed from the Explorer, and ammunition.
The male driver and male passenger, both on active parole, were identified as Derek Cortez and Jonathan Suttle.
Cortez was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for carjacking, possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft, and felon in possession of ammunition. Suttle was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for carjacking and felon in possession of ammunition.
According to public arrest records, both suspects are each being held on a $250,000 bail and are scheduled for pre-liminary arraignment inside a Victorville court room on January 19, 2020.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy M. Reynoso or Deputy S. Taylor at the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
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