14 Arrested In IE In Connection With Massive Train Heist

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Fourteen people were arrested Monday morning after sheriff’s investigators raided a Hesperia home and uncovered tens of thousands of dollars in stolen train cargo and cash tied to a series of Victor Valley burglaries, authorities said.

The search warrant was served around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 6 at a home in the 14600 block of Willow Street, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into thefts targeting BNSF Railway freight trains across the Inland Empire.

When investigators arrived, seven suspects attempted to flee, but all were quickly detained and returned to the home, officials said. Inside, authorities found seven additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to 14.

During the search, investigators discovered stolen property belonging to BNSF valued at roughly $42,500, along with $55,000 in cash, the department said. The stolen goods were returned to the railroad.

All 14 suspects were booked into the High Desert Detention Center on felony charges related to the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001. Anonymous tips can be submitted through We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com.

The following 14 suspects were arrested:

• Armando Gonzalez, 20, of Hesperia
• Eloid Paz Lizarraga, 21, of Hesperia
• Jesus Fierro Escalante, 22, of Hesperia
• Isidro Mendivil Mendez, 23, of Hesperia
• Jesus Jimenez Gonzalez, 24, of Hesperia
• Jose Navarette Carrillo, 24, of Victorville
• Tomas Valdez Olivares, 25, of Hesperia
• Johan Camargo Salazar, 25, of Hesperia
• Guadalupe Alejandro Raya, 26, of Hesperia
• Juan Oliveras Valdez, 27, of Hesperia
• Jose Rodriguez Cecena, 28, of Hesperia
• Juan Jimenez Garcia, 29, of Hesperia
• Ezequiel Jimenez Gaxiola, 36, of Santa Rosa
• Leobardo Corral Corrales, 46, of Westminster