YUCCA VALLEY MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING AND BURNING CAR

A Yucca Valley man suspected of stealing a car that was later found burning in the desert south of Yucca Valley last Tuesday was arrested Friday afternoon. According to court records, Michael Dennison, 24, had been released from jail April 28 following an arrest for carrying concealed weapons. Dennison had also been in court that same morning, and had accepted a plea bargain for drug possession. Authorities say Dennison was hitch-hiking back to Yucca Valley when he was picked up by a man who took him home, fed him, and let him swim in his pool. Then later that evening, the two men took a drive in Yucca Valley. According to officials, Dennison allegedly took off in the other man’s Saturn when the owner got out of the car. The car was subsequently found burning in the desert south of Golden Bee about 8 p.m. Tuesday night, but Dennison was nowhere to be found. On Friday, Sheriff’s deputies found Dennison hiding in a closet in a home in the 7500 block of Bannock Trail. Michael Dennison was arrested for investigation of a probation violation, and on charges of transporting controlled substance, and possession of a concealed weapon. He was booked into the Morongo Basin Jail and is being held without bail.