A 27-year-old parolee — Travest Rontae Hill — is facing numerous charges following his arrest in Big Bear City. They include attempted carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon and viloation of his PRCS parole (File Photo).
By G.T. Houts
Big Bear City, CA – Attempted carjacking suspect — Travest Rontae Hill — was arrested in Big Bear City Tuesday morning and faces a host of charges including assault with a deadly weapon and violation of his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) parole.
THE INITIAL CARJACKING INCIDENT
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reports the initial incident began at about 7:20 p.m. on Monday, February 9, in San Bernardino.
Hill, 27, allegedly carjacked the owner of a halfway house for parolees in San Bernardino where he was a resident and on parole for assault with a deadly weapon.
Authorities contend Hill assaulted the victim, hitting the unidentified female repeatedly on her face and head with a rock or brick.
The victim was transported to Loma Linda Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.
SECOND INCIDENT
Following the carjacking, Hill drove the woman’s stolen vehicle towards the Big Bear area on Highway 18 from Lucerne Valley and crashed near Mile Marker 63, close to the Mitsubishi Plant.
At about 9:20 p.m., a second victim saw the crashed vehicle while driving up Highway 18 and stopped to assist Hill.
Hill reportedly struck the victim in the head multiple times in an unsuccessful attempt to take the victim’s car keys. However, the unidentified adult male victim alluded Hill on foot and flagged down an off –duty CHP Officer for assistance.
The victim was transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to receive medical treatment for injuries sustained during the attempted second carjacking.
Suspect Hill fled on foot near the area at Call Box 622 (straightaway near Cactus Flats).
THE SEARCH FOR HILL
Big Bear and Lucerne Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies, as well as deputies from the Sheriff’s Aviation Division, conducted a thorough check of the area on foot and by helicopter throughout the night, but were unable to locate Hill.
The search for Travest Hill resumed this morning. Big Bear deputies located Hill walking near the intersection of North Shore
Drive and Sierra Avenue in Big Bear City shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday.
THE ARREST
Hill was taken into custody at 7:58 a.m. without incident and booked on felony charges of parole violation, assault with a deadly weapon, and attempted carjacking.
The suspect remains in custody in lieu of $125,000 bail, with an arraignment hearing set for Friday, February 13, at 12:30 p.m. in San Bernardino County Superior Court. A PRCS parole violation hearing has also been scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at 1:30 p.m. He is being held without bail on the parole violation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hill may also be facing additional charges from the San Bernardino City Police Department, the jurisdiction where the initial carjacking and assault occurred.
The arrest of Travest Hill is a direct result of multi-agency cooperation between the San Bernardino City Police Department and various divisions of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. (60)