DATE/TIME: Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 12:24pm
INCIDENT: PC 496(A): POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
PC 25850: CARRYING A LOADED FIREARM IN A VEHICLE
HS 11370.1(A): POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WHILE ARMED
LOCATION: State Highway 138/ Summit Valley Road, County Area of Hesperia
SUSPECT: Jose Hernandez-Garcia, 29-years-old, Resident of Fontana
Luis Mendez, 35-years-old, Resident of Ontario
SUMMARY:
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 12:24pm, deputies from the Victor Valley Station received a call of suspects stealing merchandise from a cargo container of a stopped Burlington Norther Santa Fe (BNSF) train. The caller stated the suspects were last seen driving west on Ranchero Road in a red truck with a large amount of merchandise in cardboard boxes in the back.
Deputy J. Ballinger located the truck on Ranchero Road, near Escondido Avenue, and conducted a traffic stop. Thirty-three boxes of stolen cell phone accessories were in the back of the truck. Total estimated value of the merchandise was over $25,000. Special Agents from BNSF Railroad responded to assume the burglary investigation.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies located an unregistered, loaded semi-automatic handgun wrapped in a beanie and hidden under the passenger seat of the vehicle. Approximately two grams of methamphetamine was also located inside the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, Jose Hernandez-Garcia, and passenger, Luis Mendez, were both arrested without incident and booked at High Desert Detention Center.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact J. Ballinger, at Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station 760-552-6800. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME (27463) or www.wetip.com.
Refer: Staci Parks
Station: Victor Valley
Phone No. (760) 552-6845
Case No. 072301068
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
