Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 7:56 a.m.

INCIDENT: Officer Involved Shooting

LOCATION: 13401 Main St., Hesperia

SUSPECT(S): #1: James Gleason, 24 years old (deceased), resident of Phelan
#2: Alexander Herd, 31 years old, resident of Phelan
#3: Austin Banuelos, 22 years old, resident of Phelan

SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at approximately 7:00 a.m. two officers assigned to the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force (SANCATT) were investigating a stolen vehicle when they observed a crime occurring in the Walmart parking lot. At approximately 8:00 a.m. the two officers, from Fontana Police Department and California Highway Patrol, observed three suspects attempting to steal a vehicle. The officers approached the suspect vehicle and used their unmarked vehicles to block in the suspects and prevent them from driving away. The suspect driver accelerated, nearly striking one of the officers and an officer involved shooting occurred. The vehicle then crashed into one of the unmarked vehicles.

The suspect driving the vehicle(Gleason) was struck by gunfire and he was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The front passenger(Herd) was struck by gunfire and transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center where he was treated, released and later booked for Burglary. The third suspect(Banuelos) was not injured and was booked at High Desert Detention Center for Receiving Stolen Property.
The officers were not injured.

Sheriff’s Department Specialized Investigation Division – Homicide Detail is conducting the investigation.

Investigators determined the vehicle that the suspects were driving was reported stolen early Wednesday morning from a residence in the Victorville area.

This investigation in ongoing and anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Specialized Investigation Division, Detective Chuck Phillips at (909) 387-3589 or WE Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Detective Chuck Phillips or Sergeant John Gaffney

Station: Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail

Phone No. (909)387-3589

Case No. DR #191704001 H#2017-53

John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department