On July 14, 2020 James Barber, 34 of Wrightwood, was seen tampering with a Spectrum Communications box in the area of Heath Creek Drive, in Wrightwood. He was confronted by a citizen and ran off after doing minor damage to the box. Early in the morning of July 15, Barber was seen by multiple citizens accessing another Spectrum Communications box near Sheep Creek Road and Hwy 2. While inside the box he ripped wires out, causing a major cellular communications outage to many of the citizens of Wrightwood. Spectrum Communications estimated the damage to be between $8,000 and $20,000 to repair.

Deputies and Detectives from the Phelan Station investigated the incident and identified Barber as the suspect. An arrest warrant was written based on the information gathered during the investigation. Barber was located in Ventura County and arrested without incident. Barber is currently being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is urged to contact Detective J. Gernon at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station, Phelan Sub-Station, (760) 995-8781. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can report information to WeTip by calling
1-800-78-CRIME, or by accessing the website at www.wetip.com.