Man Vandalizing Barstow Store Arrested After Chasing Reporting Party with a Large Rock

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Barstow, Ca. – A 37-year-old Barstow man was arrested for vandalism and assault with a deadly weapon after he vandalized a sign and electrical box in front of a Barstow Home Depot store.

On Saturday, November 10, 2019, at around 6:48 p.m. received a vandalism in-progress report in front of the Home Depot store located in the 1100 block of Avenue L. The caller said that the suspect had also attempted to damage his vehicle as he vandalized the property. When they arrived they found the suspect, later identified as Richard Lomeli chasing the reporting party armed with a large rock. Authorities said that the reporting party was maneuvering his vehicle to avoid being struck by the rock.

The suspect was ordered to drop the rock and was detained. Lomeli was found to be in possession of a spray can, matching what was used to vandalize the surrounding area. Through investigation it was learned that Lomeli was intoxicated and noticed that the reporting party was taking photos of the vandalism as it was in progress. He grabbed a large rock and began chasing the reporting party while yelling, “I’m from East LA, come over here I have something for you”. While with the responding officer, Lomeli advised several times he was “from East L.A.”.

Further investigation revealed that Lomeli had sprayed painted the Home Depot sign in front of the store, electrical boxes, and additional city property with “EAST LA RIFA”, and additional swear words written in Spanish. Lomeli was arrested for Vandalism and Assault with a Deadly Weapon and he was booked into the San Bernardino County jail – Barstow.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Corporal M. Cardenas or the Barstow Police Department at (760) 256-2211. Those wishing to remain anonymous may also make a report by calling the WE-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.