BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A 19-year-old San Bernardino resident was arrested after allegedly stealing three Ninja-brand Slushie machines valued at more than $1,000 from the Barstow Walmart and later attempting to flee from officers.
, according to a written statement from the Barstow Police Department.
Police said the incident happened on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at approximately 8:19 p.m., when officers responded to a report of grand theft at Walmart.
According to the written statement, Walmart Loss Prevention told officers that about 20 minutes earlier, “a black male adult entered the store, selected three Ninja-brand Slushie machines, removed the security devices, and exited without paying.” The total loss was estimated at more than $1,000.
Authorities said the suspect left the area in a black Kia SUV. Officers reviewed surveillance video and continued investigating the case in an effort to identify and locate the suspect.
While responding to a separate call for service, officers reportedly spotted the black Kia SUV driving through an apartment complex in the 500 block of East Virginia Way. Police said the driver, later identified as 19-year-old Gery Gray of San Bernardino, quickly parked and exited the vehicle with several other people after noticing officers nearby.
According to the department, officers contacted Gray, who matched the suspect seen in the Walmart theft, and detained him. During the investigation, Gray allegedly ran from officers after they contacted the other occupants who exited the vehicle. Officers chased after him but briefly lost sight of him.
Police said officers later located Gray inside a nearby apartment and arrested him. During a search of the Kia SUV, officers reportedly recovered one of the three stolen Ninja-brand Slushie machines, which was later returned to Walmart.
Gray was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto on charges of attempt to escape custody, burglary, grand theft, and resisting an officer.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Officer Gatti at jgatti@barstowca.gov or (760) 255-5111. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27469) or online at www.wetip.com.
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