Full Notification

DATE/TIME: January 8th, 2015, at approximately 1:00 a.m.

INCIDENT: PC 69 - Resist Executive Officer

LOCATION: I-15 Freeway at Hodge Road, Barstow

SUSPECT: Jovan Castellanos, age 35, a resident of Upland, CA

VICTIM: State of California

SUMMARY: On January 8th, 2015, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Deputy Mauricio Rivas from the Sheriff’s Department Barstow Station stopped a 2006 Nissan sedan for expired registration, on the northbound I-15 freeway at Hodge Road in the county area of Barstow. Deputy Rivas contacted the driver who identified himself as Jovan Castellanos of Upland, CA. Following a record check, Deputy Rivas discovered Castellanos had an active misdemeanor traffic warrant for $175,000 for driving on a suspended driver’s license. Deputy Rivas advised Castellanos he was under arrest for the traffic warrant and began to place Castellanos in handcuffs. Castellanos began to resist the deputy’s efforts. The two struggled on the side of the freeway. Deputy Rivas noticed they were very near the right hand traffic lane of the freeway. For the safety of Castellanos, passing motorist and himself, Deputy Rivas pushed Castellanos away.

Before Deputy Rivas could re-engage Castellanos, Castellanos fled across the I-15 freeway to the west side. Additional units from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Barstow and Apple Valley stations, as well as officer’s from the California Highway Patrol responded to the area and conducted an extensive area check. However, Castellanos was not located. The deputy received minor injury to his hand as a result of the struggle with Castellanos.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., deputies received a call from the CHP they had a possible sighting of Castellanos off of the I-15 freeway and Lenwood in the City of Barstow. Deputies and CHP responded into the area and began to search. Additional information from citizen’s and business owners led deputies to the Comfort Suite Hotel. Deputies conducted a floor to floor search of the hotel. Deputy Greg Grimm of the Barstow Sheriff’s Station located Castellanos hiding on the fourth floor stairwell landing. Castellanos was taken into custody without incident and taken to a local hospital for injuries he received from his fight with Deputy Rivas. During a search incident to his arrest, deputies located paperwork on Castellanos with names, dates of birth and other identifying information of possible identity theft. Castellanos was transported to the High Desert Detention Center and booked for PC 69 – Resisting Executive Officer, in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective Lansdown or Sergeant Matthew Griffith of the Barstow Sheriff's Station at (760) 256-4838. Callers who wish to remain anonymous are urged to call We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective D. Lansdown
Station: Barstow Station
Phone No.(760) 256-4838
Case No. 081500030

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