HESPERIA-(VVNG.com): On Thursday, August 13th at 11:07 a.m. a homeless man reported that he was carjacked in the area of Main Street and Ninth Avenue in Hesperia.
The 61-year-old disabled transient, identified as Fred Castro, said he was outside of his vehicle when the suspect, who is also homeless became confrontational and attempted to fight him for his car keys. During the struggle, Castro dropped his keys and the suspect identified as Juan Carlos Gonzalez picked them up and left with the vehicle.
Castro did not suffer any injuries as a result of this incident.
Several days later, on Wednesday August 19th just before 4:00 p.m. deputies from the Apple Valley Station stopped to conduct a vehicle check of a vehicle stopped near Hwy 18 and Yucca Loma. The vehicle was determined to be the stolen 2011 Hyundai Accent that was taken during the Hesperia carjacking. When checking the vehicle, it was occupied by Gonzalez, who matched the suspect description. After further investigation, Gonzalez was arrested at about 5:00 p.m. The suspect was subsequently booked into the High Desert Detention Center in lieu of $150,000 bail.
On August 21st, at an arraignment hearing Gonzalez appeared via jail video and plead not guilty. He is due back in court on August 31st for a pre-preliminary hearing.
The Hesperia Station is asking for assistance to help locate the victim to return his vehicle to him. If you know the whereabouts of Fred Castro please contact the Hesperia Station or have Castro contact the Hesperia Station. Suspect Gonzalez was also in possession of a Marine Corps ring that does not belong to him. If you believe the Marine Corps ring may be yours, please be prepared to provide a photo or documentation showing that it belongs to you. This is an ongoing investigation. If you have information reference this crime please contact Detective Burns at the Hesperia Station 760-947-1500.
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