SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Two men, one from Redlands and one from Los Angeles, have been identified as the two men arrested in what is being described as an ambush of two police officers, one of whom was shot in the leg, police said Saturday.
Keijuan Tyrone Mayfield, 22 of Redlands and Eric Newson, 22, of Los Angeles were taken into custody in the 108 block of East Base Line late Friday night after they allegedly opened fire on police during a traffic stop, police said.
Police have not said if the two have gang ties but they're not ruling it out, authorities said.
Officers attempted to stop a blue four-door sedan around 9:12 p.m. by a liquor store at Base Line and Sierra Way, police said.
"The car pulled into the lot and four armed individuals stepped out of the car and started shooting at the patrol officers," said police Lt. Paul Williams. "Multiple shots were exchanged between officers and the suspects."
The officer who was struck in the leg was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center where he was treated and released, officials said His name was not released.
District Attorney Mike Ramos reacted harshly to the ambush.
"The police are the only thing standing between the law-abiding people in our county and total anarchy, and they need us and the public to rally to their support," Ramos said. "Our officers have been
ambushed twice in nearly a week. Let me be very clear. We will prosecute these criminals and any other criminal who thinks it's OK to attack an officer to the fullest extent of the law."
The other ambush Ramos was referring to was of a sheriff's deputy on July 16 as he and his partner were delivering an eviction notice in the 1400 block of Date Street.
Miguel Alvarez is accused of driving up to the deputies as they sat in their patrol car and firing multiple shots, striking one of them.
The deputies returned fire, striking the suspected shooter's car. Alvarez was apprehended a short time later, authorities said.
Some neighbors living the area of Friday night's shooting didn't seemed phased about shots ringing out.
One woman who asked to remain anonymous, fearing retaliation from gang members, said it's a sad day when police are shot at while trying to keep neighborhoods safe.
"When someone shoots at the police, it just shows they're fearless and have no regard for anyone else," she said. "I've lived in this city my entire life and have seen its ups and downs, but never have I seen anything this bold."
Mayfield and Newson were booked at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer. They were being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Anyone with information on Friday night's shooting is asked to call police Detective John Munoz at 909-384-5630 or police Sgt. Gary Robertson at 909-841-5361.
Copyright 2013 - San Bernardino County Sun, Calif.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
