Apple Valley man, 32, arrested for possession of weapons and narcotics

APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG. com) — Joshua Ritorto, 32, a resident of Apple Valley, was arrested for possession of weapons and narcotics, officials said.

It happened on February 4, 2020, at about 11:54 a.m., when deputies responded to several reports of a male subject walking with what looked like a rifle in the area of Central Avenue and El Centro Road in Apple Valley.

Deputy Melony Whitecloud from the Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station contacted the suspect as he matched the description given in the call.

According to a sheriff’s news release, Ritorto was carrying a backpack and a .22 caliber semi-auto rifle.

“Deputy Whitecloud gave Ritorto orders to put the gun down and he initially complied, but then fled on foot carrying the backpack. With the help of CHP Aviation, Ritorto was tracked through the neighborhood as he continued to run from the deputies,” stated the release.

Sergeant Jim Evans caught Ritorto in the 16000 block of Pauhaska Road and detained him.

“In addition to the rifle, Ritorto also possessed an approximately 12” fixed blade unsheathed knife and a quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Ritorto was found to be a convicted felon making it a crime to possess a weapon,” officials said.

Joshua Ritorto was booked at the High Desert Detention Center for Possession of an Illegal Knife, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed. His bail is set at $75,000.

The Apple Valley Police offered a special thanks to the citizens who reported this incident.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Tyler Loup or Sergeant James Evans at the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400 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 the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.