Ridgecrest police arrest shoplifting suspect after report of fight at Walmart

RIDGECREST, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Police said officers arrested a suspect accused of shoplifting after he was involved in a fight at the Walmart in Ridgecrest Wednesday evening.

Around 7:35 p.m., officers responded to the Walmart located at 201 East Bowman Road for a report of people fighting. They arrived and found the suspect, Samuel Gonzalez of Ridgecrest, who was wanted Wednesday for a previous burglary.

Police said the man fled the scene into the desert area just south of Walmart. A short time later, Gonzalez was found and taken into custody.

The neighborhood and Walmart were deemed safe.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the arrest of the suspect.