Two Accused of June 12 Armed Robbery in Highland

A Colton man and a Rialto woman were held behind bars Monday on suspicion of armed robbery and assault with a firearm, according to Sheriff's Department inmate records.

Timothy Finney, 21, and Courtney Rene Dotson, 23, were arrested July 4 in connection with a robbery attempt last month in Highland, deputies said in a statement.

According to their account, a female victim and her family were driving on 5th Street near Del Rosa Avenue in Highland shortly before 8 p.m. June 12.

"As they stopped at a stop sign, the suspects stopped their vehicle directly behind the victim," deputies said. "A male passenger exited the suspect vehicle and walked up to the driver's side window which was open. The male suspect brandished a firearm and demanded the victim's purse."

The alleged victim believed her life was in danger and complied, deputies said.

A witness in another vehicle started honking his horn but this did not prevent the crime from occurring, deputies said. The alleged robber got back in his vehicle and left.

The witness followed, the alleged robber realized it and started shooting at the witness, and the witness stopped, deputies said.

Members of the sheriff's Highland Station Gang Enforcement Unit and Criminal Investigations Division identified both suspects, deputies said.

During execution of search warrants in Colton and Rialto, sheriff's personnel were able to recover "evidence of armed robbery, stolen firearms, and gang paraphernalia," deputies said.

Finney and Dotson were both arrested in the 1900 block of East Washington Street in Highland before noon on July 4, according to inmate records. They were accused of attempted murder with a firearm, armed robbery, possession of stolen firearms, and participation in a criminal street gang.

Finney was held July 8 at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, and Dotson was held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Bail for each was $250,000, according to inmate records.