Suspect with Multiple Felony Convictions Arrested for Theft of Homeless Shelter Vehicle

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VICTORVILLE, Ca. – A suspect prior felony convictions was arrested after crashing the stolen Homeless Shelter van after a pursuit on Wednesday evening.

On January 15, 2019, the staff at High Desert Homeless Services arrived at the shelter located at 14049 Amargosa Road in the City of Victorville to find that their 1997 Chevrolet Astrovan and attached trailer has been stolen. The theft that occurred overnight was reported to authorities. Later that day the vehicle was located at a hotel in the 13400 block of Mariposa Road in the City of Victorville. Deputies attempted to make contact with the driver of the van, later identified as Jovany Bahena, 29, of Apple Valley. Bahena drove away leading deputies on a pursuit for around 2.5 miles before he crashed the van in the yard of a home located in the 12600 block of Santa Fe Trail.

Behena fled on foot and deputies followed until he went into a vacant home and barricaded himself inside. Authorities said the home belonged to someone Bahena knew. Deputies spotted a gun in Bahena’s hand as he went into the home.The Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division and Sheriff’s Aviation Division, responded to the home and began communicating with Bahena. After around 2 hours, he came out of the home and was arrested without incident.

Bahena was booked at the High Desert Detention Center for possession of a stolen vehicle, evading a Peace Officer with disregard for safety, promoting a criminal street gang, assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, and vehicle theft. He is scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on January 17, 2020.

According to court records, Bahena has two prior felony strikes, one for a stabbing at Karma Nightlife in July of 2010. The Daily Press reported that on March 2011 he was sentenced to five years with time served and conduct credit after pleading no contest. Bahena was released in 2015 and was rearrested for an assault. Bahena was sentenced to 4 years in prison minus 505 days for time served and conduct credit for a total of approximately 2 ½ years.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy E Smith or Deputy M Young 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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