Nine suspects were arrested for allegedly stealing over 200 propane tanks in San Bernardino County.
The suspects were identified as:
- Jerrica Spencer, 27, of Lancaster
- Vidal Barrios, 37, of Lancaster
- Moises Labra, 38, of Lancaster
- Javier Benitez, 44, resident of Lancaster
- Pedro Rodriguez, 45, of Lancaster
- Michael Berkheimer, 54, of Lancaster
- Aurelio Valdez, 68, of Lancaster
- Sergio Santiago-Torres, 68, of Lancaster
- Jose Morena, 74, of Lancaster
On April 29, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies responded to the AmeriGas company at 16575 Daisy Road in Adelanto at 12:08 p.m.
Employees told authorities over 200 propane tanks had been stolen from the location. The suspects had fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Authorities began investigating and four search warrants were served at residences in the Lancaster and Victor Valley areas.
During the searches, investigators recovered the stolen propane tanks along with several illegal firearms and 11 stolen vehicles.
Nine suspects were arrested on felony charges including commercial burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft and possession of an illegal weapon.
About a month earlier, on March 31, AmeriGas workers reported a similar theft where over 100 propane tanks were stolen from the same location. Investigators executed a search warrant in Palmdale where 160 stolen propane tanks were recovered.
The thefts remain under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Deputy C. Lajuj at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800.
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
