31 arrested for Southern California train burglaries totaling nearly $450,000

Authorities arrested 31 people this week for a series of train burglaries that happened in San Bernardino County in recent weeks. 

Three different search warrants were served on Wednesday, Oct. 1, by members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Rural Crimes Task Force, according to a news release from the department. The warrants were served at a home in Hesperia, as well as a home and a storage unit in Victorville, deputies said. 

During one of the search warrants, in the 8800 block of Maple Avenue, SBSD investigators said that they recovered "numerous items stolen from train burglaries."

Police with the BNSF Railway were called to the residence, where they recovered stolen property worth an estimated $54,442.79, the release said. Investigators also seized approximately $19,200. 

"Eleven suspects were arrested and subsequently booked on felony charges for possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime," deputies said. 

While serving the second search warrant, at a home in the 14100 block of Anacapa Road, authorities recovered nearly $42,000 in U.S. currency and $133,867 in stolen property from the train burglaries, deputies said. BNSF police again recovered the stolen items.

Investigators also confiscated eight illegal firearms, including four rifles and four pistols, deputies said. Six more people were arrested and booked for possession of stolen property and conspiracy charges. 

The third search warrant was served at a storage unit in the 14300 block of Palmdale Road in Victorville. While there, authorities recovered additional stolen property associated with the train burglaries. Railroad police took possession of the items, which they estimated to be worth approximately $188,309. 

"Law enforcement seized approximately $61,200 in U.S. currency and recovered stolen property valued at an estimated $376,618," the release said. 

All 17 of the suspects were booked at High Desert Detention Center, the release said. 

As their investigation continued, investigators served an additional search warrant on Monday, October 6 in the 14600 block of Willow Street in Hesperia. The search warrant was connected to the three that were previously served last week, investigators said. 

"As investigators arrived at the location, seven suspects attempted to flee the residence," said an SBSD release on the new arrests. "With the assistance of Sheriff's Aviation and Hesperia Station deputies, all seven suspects were quickly apprehended and transported back to the residence."

Deputies found seven more people inside, resulting in 14 total arrests. They were also booked at the High Desert Detention Center, deputies said.

BNSF railroad police were called to the home, where nearly $42,500 in stolen property was found, along with $55,000 in U.S. currency. 

Anyone who knows more is asked to contact SBSD at (760) 552-6800.