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Strong Armed Robbery Suspect Released From Jail

Joel Curtis Eastwood from Running Springs Arrested

By G.T. Houts
Thursday, July 23, 2009

Valley of Enchantment, CA - A 45-year-old Running Springs man has been released from jail on $200,000 bail after he allegedly assaulted and robbed a man in Valley of Enchantment.

Joel Curtis Eastwood was arrested Monday, July 20 at 3:59 a.m. and booked at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino at 5:22 a.m.

Central Detention Center (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Eastwood was booked on misdemeanor counts of battery with serious bodily injury and theft of personal property following the incident in the 300 block of Spruce Drive.

The unnamed victim called 911 because there was a male subject — later identified as Eastwood —inside his residence who had allegedly physically assaulted him causing severe injury to his face and left eye.

Dispatchers were told the man refused to leave so the victim, fearing for his life, armed himself with a shotgun and held the suspect at gunpoint until deputies arrived. The suspect had been ordered to lie on the floor by the victim.

During the investigation, deputies discovered the victim was reportedly punched in the face causing injury and loss of consciousness.

While he was unconscious, the suspect is reported to have taken the victim's wallet without his permission. When he regained consciousness, the victim discovered Eastwood was sleeping on his couch and retrieved the shotgun for self defense.

During contact with Eastwood, according to a Sheriff's Department media release, officers found the victim's wallet in his pocket.