Full Notification

UPDATE ** An additional assault victim has been identified:
On March 26, 2019, a 72-year old male was assaulted while loading items into his car near the intersection of 7th Street and La Paz Drive. The suspect, identified as 52-year old Richard Rant Leonard, approached the elderly victim and hit him, causing injuries to his face. Leonard then fled the area on foot.

Leonard is currently in custody for attacking a 79-year-old man causing serious bodily injury on March 28th, and will be booked on additional charges of battery with serious injury and harming an elderly/dependent adult.

Investigators urge any additional victims to come forward and contact Deputy T. Chamberlain or Deputy B. Moreland 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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DATE/TIME: March 28, 2019 / 7:09am

INCIDENT: Robbery, Battery with Serious Bodily Injury, Harming an Elderly/Dependent Adult, Violation of Felony Parole

LOCATION: 14600 block of Valley Center Drive, Victorville

SUSPECT: Richard Rant Leonard, 52-year old transient

VICTIM: 79-year old male


SUMMARY: On March 28, 2019, deputies from the Victorville Police Department responded to an assault which occurred in a parking lot in the 14600 block of Valley Center Drive.

The victim, a 79-year old male, was walking through the parking lot on his way to a nearby bus stop. The suspect, later identified as Richard Rant Leonard, a convicted felon on parole, walked up behind the victim and then punched him in the face. The blow caused the elderly man to fall to the ground and drop his belongings. The suspect attempted to take an envelope containing the victim’s money. A security guard in the parking lot witnessed the incident and was able to reach the suspect before he could flee. He detained the suspect until deputies arrived.

The victim suffered a broken leg and other minor injuries in the attack. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for robbery, battery with serious injury, harming an elderly or dependent adult, and violation of felony parole. He is scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on April 2, 2019.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy T. Chamberlain or Deputy B. Moreland 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.

Refer: Mara Rodriguez, Media Relations

Station: Victorville Police Department

Case #: 171902703/171902845

Phone No. (760) 241-2911

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