On December 24, 2019, deputies assigned to the Delano substation received a report of a burglary to a business in the 28000 block of W. Garces Highway in Delano. The business reported an equipment loss of approximately $33,000. Over the course of the next month, deputies conducted an investigation regarding the burglary.
On January 16, 2020, Delano deputies, along with the KCSO Rural Crimes Investigations Unit, conducted searches of a residence in the 26000 block of Pond Road and a residence in the 300 block of Albany Street. Deputies located the $33,000 in reported stolen property along with approximately $32,000 in additional stolen property.
On January 23, 2020, deputies identified a storage unit associated with the suspects in this case. A search of the storage unit found it contained additional stolen property, including ammunition and a sawed-off shotgun, worth approximately $15,000. Deputies determined the total property recovered during this investigation is valued at approximately $80,000 and was taken from ten businesses in the rural areas of northern Kern County.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Rena Rivera (30), was arrested and charged with counts of burglary, conspiracy, grand theft, possession of stolen property, possession of ammunition by a felon, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Sylvia Esquivel (38), was arrested and charged with counts of burglary, grand theft, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property.
Leonides Rivera (29), was arrested and charged with counts of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, resisting a peace officer, and a parole violation.
Fernando Rangel (45), was arrested and charged with counts of conspiracy, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics for sales, and for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
