Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 26, 2020/11:52 a.m.

INCIDENT: Shoplifting

LOCATION: 2400 Block of Needles Highway, Needles, CA.

SUSPECT(S): Brian Gerold, age 58 a transient

VICTIM(S): West Side Shell


SUMMARY: On Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 11:52 a.m., members of the Needles Police and Sheriff’s Department were having lunch at Subway – Dairy Queen, when Gerold walked into the Dairy Queen. Gerold walked to the coolers containing alcohol and grabbed two Mike’s Hard Watermelon cans and placed them in a bag which he brought into the store. Gerold then exited the Subway without paying for the alcohol. A store clerk was watching Gerold and alerted the deputies of the theft. Gerold was contacted outside of the store, where he was taken into custody. Gerold was also found to have three warrants for his arrest: HS 11364, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - $50,00 Bail, VC 14601, Driving on a suspended driver’s license - $25,000 Bail, and HS 11364, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - $125,000 Bail. Gerold was transported to the Colorado River Station jail for booking and was later cite released.

The necessity to cite release arrestees is a result of several law changes and voter-approved propositions over the last few years. In 2011 Assembly Bill 109 was passed by the legislature. This bill sent thousands of state prisoners to local jails, resulting in county jail overcrowding. Because of lawsuits capping the county jail population, it became necessary to release county jail inmates that were once held in custody. In 2014 the California voters passed Proposition 47, referred to as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. This proposition reduced many crimes to misdemeanors such as; Grand Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Shoplifting, Forgery, Burglary, and Drug Possession. With a court-mandated cap on the county jail inmate population, it is now necessary to cite release certain arrestees to adhere to the inmate population mandates.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department remains committed to a proactive approach to suppressing crime in the City of Needles. Anyone with additional information regarding these investigations or any others are urged to contact the Colorado River Sheriff’s Station at (760) 326-9200. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave the information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com

For press releases, news and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at @CORiverStation

For all EMERGENCIES dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies, call the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center (760)956-5001. This number should be used to report a crime, not in progress or to request a deputy.

Refer: Deputy Bryant Moore

Station: Colorado River Station

Phone No. 760-326-9200

Case No. 212000162

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