Two men accused of shooting at security guard while robbing Devore gas station

Two men are accused of robbing a Devore gas station and shooting at a security guard who tried to intervene this week, authorities said.

The crime took place about 7:30 p.m. Monday at ARCO, 1670 Devore Road, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials said.

A man brandished a handgun as he stole an undisclosed amount of money from the business' cash register, according to a sheriff's department statement .

The gunman ran from the store and got into a waiting red Nissan Altima, officials said. The security guard followed him.

"The suspect fired the handgun toward the security guard, and the vehicle entered the freeway on ramp," the statement said. The security guard was not struck by the gunfire.

But the getaway car then stalled on the onramp and California Highway Patrol officers approached.

As the driver was being detained, the passenger ran from the car and got away, sheriff's officials said.

"(The driver) claimed he had been carjacked by the suspect, however, investigators later determined (he) had lied to the officer and was involved in the robbery," according to the statement.

Robert John Simmons, 58, of San Bernardino was arrested on suspicion of robbery and criminal conspiracy, San Bernardino County booking records show. The search continued for the second suspect who ran from the Nissan.

Detectives soon identified the outstanding suspect as Christopher Michael Snively, 54, of Big Bear, according to sheriff's officials and booking records. He was described as a "career criminal" who was already on probation due to a prior felony conviction.

Investigators served several search warrants and recovered the gun believed to have been used in the robbery and shooting, officials said.

He was taken into custody early Tuesday at a shopping center in Fontana, records show.

Snively was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery, criminal conspiracy, making criminal threats, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and violating the terms of felony probation.

Bail for Simmons was set at $350,000 pending an initial court appearance, while Snively was being held without bail.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Deputy R. Olivares of the Sheriff's Central Station at (909) 387-3545. Information may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Two men accused of shooting at security guard while robbing Devore gas station