4 Alleged Gang Members in Beating, Robbery, Shooting Arrested in Highland

Two men and two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of beating and robbing a 15-year-old boy early Sunday in Highland, and one of the men fired several shots at a woman who tried to stop the assault, deputies said.

The adult suspects were identified by Highland Station personnel as Spencer Alexander, 22, and Natura Muasau-Lepolo, 19, both of San Bernardino. The teenagers were identified as a 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old girl.

"All suspects are self-admitted members of a local criminal street gang," Detective Al Huff of the sheriff's Highland Station said in a statement.

The boy was walking home about 2:50 a.m. Sept. 16 in Highland when several men approached him, Huff said. Specific location of the incident was not disclosed.

"The adults surrounded the victim and two of the males approached the victim and brandished a firearm," Huff said. "Two of the suspects, Spencer Alexander and a 17 year old male, began beating the juvenile victim and robbing him of his personal property."

The victim was on the ground being attacked when a woman driving to work stopped her vehicle nearby and started honking her horn and yelling at the suspects to stop, Huff said.

"The actions by the Good Samaritan were successful and because of her actions, the juvenile victim was able to escape the attack," Huff said. "However, as the Good Samaritan honked her horn, she was approached by Lepolo-Muasau. Lepolo-Muasau removed a 9mm firearm from his waistband and began shooting at her."

The woman's vehicle was hit several times by gunfire, and some of the rounds penetrated the interior, Huff said. But she was not hit and she drove away.

The man with the gun and the other suspects then ran, Huff said.

The woman sought help from deputies, who arrested Alexander, the 17-year-old male, and the 15-year-old girl. The girl allegedly had a loaded firearm, according to Huff.

The firearm used to shoot at the woman who stopped was also recovered, Huff said.

Deputies arrested Lepolo-Muasau in San Bernardino on Monday Sept. 18, Huff said.

Alexander and the 17-year-old were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a felony, and participation in a criminal street gang, Huff said.

The 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit a felony, Huff said.

Lepolo-Muasau was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and participation in a criminal street gang. He was being held on $1 million bail, Huff said.

Anyone with more info was urged to call the Criminal Investigations Division at the Highland Station, (909) 425-9797.

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