RivCo Man Accused Of $5K City Equipment Theft, Sheriff Says

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — Deputies arrested a 40-year-old man Saturday in connection with the theft of city-owned equipment valued at about $5,000, authorities said.

Officers began investigating on Friday, Oct. 24, after a city employee reported the theft. The victim told deputies that the equipment was stolen the previous day while they were working at a city event in the 8900 block of Limonite Avenue, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

Deputies reviewed video surveillance footage and identified a suspect seen taking the equipment and leaving the area without attempting to locate its owner. The suspect was later identified as Efren Samano, a resident of Jurupa Valley.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, deputies located Samano in the 8800 block of Limonite Avenue and took him into custody without incident. The stolen equipment was recovered and returned to the city.

Samano was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of grand theft.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sergeant Brent Ruiz at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600.

Community members are encouraged to report criminal activity to Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or call 911 in case of emergency.