DATE/TIME: March 28, 2022
INCIDENT: Commercial Burglary Series
LOCATION: City of Yucaipa and unincorporated community of Mentone
SUSPECT(S): Edward Champ, 55-year-old Yucaipa Resident
Troy Christiansen, 49-year-old Yucaipa Resident
Lance Miller, 55-year-old Yucaipa Resident
VICTIM(S): Multiple
SUMMARY: The Yucaipa Police Department's Multiple Enforcement Team (MET) conducted surveillance related to a number of commercial burglaries of electrical circuit breakers stolen from businesses and city facilities over the last several months. Based upon their investigation a search warrant was written for suspect Champ's residence.
On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 07:32 a.m. MET and the detective bureau served the search warrant. Champ attempted to flee through the back door and hide a loaded firearm in the backyard. He was taken into custody without incident. Ammunition, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located during the search. Champ is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. He was arrested and booked into jail for charges related to the firearms, ammunition and drugs.
A large quantity of identifiable stolen property, including three electrical breakers recently stolen from city softball fields was recovered.
Detectives continued the investigation into the stolen property and linked Champ, Christiansen and Miller to additional burglaries.
On Thursday, February 17, 2022, additional search warrants were served at Champ’s residence and a storage business where identifiable stolen property was located.
In total, the suspects are believed to be responsible for thefts from multiple businesses, constructions sites, city parks and Redlands East Valley High School. The total value of the thefts is valued at more than $190,000.
On Thursday, March 3, 2022, MET deputies presented the investigation to the District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's Office filed multiple counts of PC487; Grand Theft, against all three suspects and issued warrants for their arrest.
Refer: D. Brandt / M. Izquierdo
Station: Yucaipa Station
Phone No. 909-918-2305
Case No. MASTER DR# 142200195
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
