Efficient law enforcement agencies working together leads to the arrest of 3 suspects for Robbery and Identity Theft
DATE/TIME: January 31, 2016 / 0100 hours
INCIDENT: Robbery and Identity Theft
LOCATION: 22000 block of Barton Road, Grand Terrace
SUSPECT(S): Candy Cuellar, 37 year old resident of San Bernardino
Michelle Tafoya, 25 year old resident of San Bernardino
Connie Tafoya, 43 year old resident of San Bernardino
VICTIM(S): 21 year old female resident of Riverside
SUMMARY: On Sunday, January 31, 2016, at about 1:00 AM, Deputies from the Central Sheriff’s - Grand Terrace Station were called to the 22000 block of Barton Road in the city of Grand Terrace. A 911 caller reported she had been robbed in the parking lot of a gas station.
Three unknown Hispanic adult women attacked the victim moments after she purchased two cases of beer from the gas station convenience store. During the attack, the suspects stole the victim's beer and wallet. The victim was not seriously injured during the attack. The three suspects fled in a black, new model, Chrysler 200 sedan with dealership plates. In the hours after the victim was robbed, an unknown person made purchases at two locations in the city of San Bernardino, using the victim's stolen credit cards. A crime alert bulletin was created showing surveillance photos of the suspects and their vehicle.
On Monday, February 8, 2016, shortly after 3:00AM, Officer G. Bermudez of the Colton Police Department noticed a vehicle driving in the city of Colton with a headlight out. Officer Bermudez stopped the vehicle for the traffic violation and recognized the vehicle matched the Grand Terrace robbery suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, Michelle Tafoya, resembled one of the suspects of the Grand Terrace robbery. A juvenile occupant of the vehicle was found to have an active warrant for her arrest. The vehicle was searched and the robbery victim's ID was found inside. Officer Bermudez immediately notified Central Sheriff’s Station.
Sheriff's Detectives conducted numerous interviews and were able to identify Candy Cuellar, a 37 year old resident of San Bernardino, Michelle Tafoya, a 25 year old resident of San Bernardino and Connie Tafoya, a 43 year old resident of San Bernardino, as suspects in the robbery. All three suspects were arrested for robbery. Michelle and Connie Tafoya were also booked for identity theft and credit fraud crimes. The three women were taken to Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. The victim's wallet and ID card were recovered and returned to the victim.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective G. Ward or Deputy J. Burnette at Sheriff's Central Station (909) 387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective G. Ward or Deputy J. Burnette
Station: Central - Grand Terrace
Phone No. (909) 387-3545
Case No. 121600065
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Central
655 E 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 909-387-3700