Full Notification

DATE/TIME: November 15, 2023 / 1:45 p.m.

INCIDENT: Vehicle Burlary, Possession of Stolen Property

LOCATION: Zanja Peak Trailhead, Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa
                    Yucaipa Community Park, 34900 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa

SUSPECT(S): Lenny Lara, 37-year-old male resident of San Jacinto, CA
                        Regina Valdez, 34-year-old female resident of Cherry Valley, CA

VICTIM(S): Confidential


SUMMARY: On Friday, November 3, 2023, Yucaipa Station deputies were dispatched to the Zanja Peak Trailhead parking lot for a vehicle burglary report. The suspects shattered the windows on two different victims' vehicles and stole the victims' purses from the vehicles. The suspects attempted to use the victims' stolen credit cards at several local area businesses. 

On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Yucaipa Station deputies were dispatched to the Yucaipa Community Park for a vehicle burglary report. The suspects shattered the window on the victim's vehicle and stole the victim's purse from the vehicle. Witnesses in the area provided information on a male suspect and vehicle. A short time later, the suspects attempted to use the victim's stolen credit card at a local area business.

Deputies from the Yucaipa Station conducted an investigation into the vehicle burglaries and learned the crimes were related. Through investigative leads, deputies were able to identify Lenny Lara and Regina Valdez as the suspects in the vehicle burglaries. Arrest warrants were obtained for both suspects. Lara was found to be on supervised probation in Riverside County.

On November 15, 2023, Riverside Probation officers contacted Lara in San Jacinto. Yucaipa Sheriff deputies responded to the location and contacted Lenny Lara and Regina Valdez. They were both arrested for their warrants. During a search of Valdez' vehicle, property belonging to one of the victims was recovered. Additional suspected stolen property was recovered from the vehicle. 

The public is reminded to be diligent and keep valuables locked in the trunk area of their vehicles and out of the view of criminals.

This investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Meier of the Yucaipa Station (909) 918-2305. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com  

Refer: Deputy V. Meier or Yucaipa Detective Bureau

Station: Yucaipa Station

Phone No. (909) 918-2305

Case No. 142303628
                142303706

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department