One suspect arrested after Mentone vehicle burglaries and shooting; 2 more sought

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigators are searching for two people tied to a series of vehicle burglaries and a shooting in Mentone over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, officials said Tuesday.

A good Samaritan who witnessed a vehicle burglary in the 1200 block of Crafton Avenue in Mentone around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 followed the suspect vehicle to the area of Garnet Avenue and Highway 38, where a man inside the suspect vehicle then opened fire on the witness, who was not hit by the gunfire, officials said in a statement. The vehicle then traveled into Highland.

Highland station deputies found the abandoned vehicle and began a search of the area. Deputies found property in the vehicle matching items taken in the initial vehicle burglary and two others in the Mentone area.

A short time later, the registered owner, Veronica Contreras, 23, of Tustin was located but when contacted by authorities, officials said she gave them a false name.

Authorities later learned her true identity and that she has a felony, no-bail warrant from outside of San Bernardino County. The witness identified the vehicle as the same vehicle he saw leaving the scene of the burglary and in the shooting.

Contreras was booked at Central Detention Center on suspicion of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property and for a no-bail warrant. Authorities are still searching for at least two other people.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Yucaipa sheriff’s station at 909-918-2305. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.