Full Notification

DATE/TIME: October 8, 2019/ 8:36 a.m.

INCIDENT: Chop Shop/ Possession of Stolen property/ Theft of Utilities

LOCATION: 52000 Cholla Road, Johnson Valley

SUSPECT(S): Jordana Mcelroy, 40-year-old resident of Johnson Valley
Dennis Squires, 40-year-old resident of Johnson Valley
Justin Long, 37-year-old resident of Johnson Valley

VICTIM(S): Confidential Male and Southern California Edison


SUMMARY: On October 8, 2019, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Morongo Basin Station, served an arrest warrant in the 52000 block of Cholla Road, in the community of Johnson Valley. While serving the warrant, deputies located a stolen Baja bug and sand rail in various stages of dismantling and repair. Deputies also located an obvious electrical bypass. Detectives served a search warrant of the property, with the assistance of the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force (SANCATT). Detectives determined the location was used as a chop shop. Detectives located property, which had been stolen in a residential burglary in Landers, in 2017. Southern California Edison investigators responded to the scene and determined the electrical meter had been bypassed. Investigators determined the theft to be approximately $35,000 in stolen electricity.

Jordana Mcelroy, Dennis Squires, and Justin Long were arrested for operating a chop shop, theft of utilities, possession of stolen property, various narcotic offenses and several arrest warrants. They were all booked at the Morongo Basin Jail.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.


Refer: Deputies K. Smit and B. Miller/ Detective A. Pennington

Station: Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. (760) 366-4175

Case No. 091901530

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department