Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, January 28, 2019 / 4:38 pm

INCIDENT: Assault on a Peace Officer

LOCATION: 33000 block of Yucaipa Blvd, Yucaipa

VICTIM: Confidential, Off-Duty Police Officer

SUSPECT 1: Joseph Koestler, age 19 a resident of Yucaipa

SUSPECT 2: David Luther, age 20 a resident of Yucaipa

SUSPECT 3: Unidentified female

SUSPECT 4: Unidentified female

SUMMARY: On January 28, 2019, at approximately 4:38 pm, deputies responded to a business in the 33000 block of Yucaipa Blvd, following the report of subjects fighting. Upon arrival, deputies were advised that the victim, an off-duty Police Officer, went to the business and noticed a silver Ford Focus, occupied by two young females, parked partially blocking a handicapped space nearby. As the victim, passed the car the females called out to a male standing near another business and said the victim was looking at them. The male, later identified as Joseph Koestler, approached the victim and began assaulting him.

The victim defended himself and was able to subdue Koestler. The females approached them attempting to assist Koestler by striking the victim repeatedly. One of the females entered another business and came out with another male, later identified as David Luther.

Luther attempted to pull Koestler free from the victim's hold and began punching the victim in the head and face. The victim released Koestler, backed up and pulled out his ID and identified himself as a police officer. Koestler proceeded to strike the victim again. Joseph Koestler, David Luther, and the two females broke away and fled the area in the Ford Focus.

The victim sustained minor injuries, including facial abrasions and a laceration. He was treated at an area hospital and released.

The assault was captured on surveillance cameras, and scene investigation led to Luther being identified as one of the suspects. Within a few hours, as deputies searched for them, both Luther and Koestler surrendered at the Yucaipa Police Station. Koestler was booked for assaulting a peace officer with bail set at $100,000. Luther was interviewed and released. Criminal charges against Luther and the involved females will be considered through the District Attorney's Office at the conclusion of the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Yucaipa Police Station. 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: Deputy M. Miller

Station: Yucaipa Police Station

Phone No. 909-918-2305

Case No. 141900291

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department