Homicide Suspected After Victim Found Dead Inside Burning Vehicle: IE Sheriff

ADELANTO, CA — Authorities have not released the identity of a male found dead inside a burning vehicle last week in the Inland Empire's high desert, but an arrest has been made in the case, and that defendant is facing a murder charge, along with other serious crimes.

Teveen Hemphill, 60, was arrested Wednesday, June 11, at a Stater Bros grocery store in Adelanto, according to jail records. He was booked into San Bernardino County's High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of murder, carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, the records show.

In-depth details about his alleged crimes have not been released, but the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said that his arrest followed an 11:36 a.m. June 9 incident.

On that day, a deputy assigned to the Victor Valley Sheriff's Station spotted a large cloud of smoke near El Mirage and Vinton roads in Adelanto.

Once at the scene, the deputy found a sedan fully engulfed in flames.

Cal Fire/San Bernardino County Fire Department was called to extinguish the blaze. Once the fire was out, crews found "an unidentified male in the front of the vehicle," according to the sheriff's department.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and homicide detectives were called in.

The victim's cause and manner of death have not been released.

It's unclear what led investigators to Hemphill, who is due in court on June 24.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Joshua Young, Specialized Investigations Division, at 909-890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.