INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A seemingly innocent cell phone sale turned violent over the weekend, leading to the arrests of four Inland Empire men, according to a report from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident began shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in Loma Linda. The cell phone seller, whose name and age were not released, agreed to meet up with a potential buyer after the two connected via Facebook Marketplace.
The meeting was set for the 23000 block of Redlands Blvd.
When the victim arrived, he was approached by 20-year-old Gerardo Hernandez of Jurupa Valley and 21-year-old Manuel Corral of Ontario, according to the sheriff’s department.
Hernandez snatched the cell phone and refused to pay. Corral drew a black handgun and pointed it at the victim, the department reported.
“The victim feared for his life and fled for his safety,” the agency said.
The alleged robbers got into a Honda Civic and took off.
The incident was reported, and a notification was sent to nearby law enforcement agencies regarding the suspect vehicle.
About an hour after the alleged robbery, the Ontario Police Department stopped the Honda Civic.
Inside the car were Hernandez and Corral, along with Ontario resident Fabian Corral, 20, and 21-year-old Reymundo Hernandez of Jurupa Valley. It’s unclear whether the men are related.
“Officers located a loaded black handgun inside the vehicle along with the victim’s cellular telephone,” the sheriff’s department said.
All four suspects were booked into San Bernardino County jail on suspicion of robbery and conspiracy charges, both felonies.
