VICTORVILLE — A 19-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of attempting to carjack a vehicle from a female victim he met through Facebook, officials said.
Around 12:51 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Victorville Station responded to reports of an attempted carjacking on North Star Avenue in Victorville.
The 17-year-old victim had met the suspect, Edmond Reliford, 19, of Apple Valley, on Facebook and the two agreed to meet and spend time together, officials said.
The victim picked up Reliford at a residence in Victorville and once he got inside the vehicle he began to make inappropriate comments that made her uncomfortable, authorities said. The victim then decided to take him back to where she had picked him up.
After she turned the car around, Reliford grabbed the steering wheel, taking control of the car and told the victim the car was his, officials said.
Both Reliford and the victim exited and Reliford took the keys from the victim, authorities said. Deputies arrived shortly thereafter and Reliford attempted to flee on foot. After a short pursuit through backyards and over fences, Reliford was detained, officials said.
Reliford was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries he received after running through the yards and encountering some neighborhood dogs, authorities said.
He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center in lieu of $125,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, court records show.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Victorville Sheriff's Station at 760-241-2911. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at 800-782-7436