Full Notification

Modesto, CA – On Wednesday November 30, 2011 at 6:11 PM Deputy Barry Balance was dispatched to a report of people cutting sections of the railroad tracks at Bangs Ave and North Starr Way behind the Indalex building. When Deputy Ballance arrived he saw 40 y/o Jordan Guertin of Merced kneeling over the railroad tracks with a cutting torch in his hands cutting the railroad tracks.

There were 8 fresh cuts through the railroad tracks in three foot sections, so Deputy Balance contacted the Union Pacific Railroad Police who responded to the scene. This section of rail road tracks is in-active, but still property of Union Pacific. Union Pacific RR Police advised no one had been given permission to cut or scrap their railroad tracks and stated it was against the law for scrap yards to purchase railroad related materials. Guertin was arrested for grand theft, tampering with railroad property and a warrant out of a Merced County.

Over the last few months there have been issues at the Indalex building. No one has come forward to claim ownership of the property and this was the first incident where we were able to locate a victim and an arrest was made.

"This arrest demonstrates that the Sheriff's Office will act and arrest when lawful to do so", said Sheriff Adam Christianson "We take property crime seriously and we appreciate the Union Pacific Railroad being willing to help us protect their property"

Anyone with information about this case can contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office at (209) 525-7114. Callers can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.


For information regarding this press release please contact:
Sgt. Anthony Bejaran
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
(209) 567-4425
[email protected]
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Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department
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250 East Hackett Road
Modesto, CA 95358
209-525-7114
www.scsdonline.com

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