DATE/TIME: January 27, 2026, 10:45 a.m.
INCIDENT: Theft Arrest - Conspiracy to Commit Burglary
LOCATION: 20200 block of State Highway 18, Apple Valley
SUSPECT(S): Maria Benitez Velasquez, 48-year-old, Resident of Apple Valley
Kevin Benitez, 26-year-old, Resident of Apple Valley
Maria Ramirez, 50-year-old, Resident of Richmond
SUMMARY: On January 27, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m., deputies with the Apple Valley Station responded to a business in the 20200 block of State Highway 18 for a theft in progress.
Deputies arrived on scene and contacted three suspects; Maria Benitez Velasquez, Kevin Benitez and Maria Ramirez, who had passed all points of sale and failed to purchase merchandise they had collected while inside the store. The three suspects were detained, and the merchandise was returned to loss prevention.
Further investigation revealed the same suspects had taken merchandise from the same location on January 16, 2026. Deputies authored a search warrant for their residence located in the 15000 block of Tuscola Road. During the service of the warrant, additional stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to loss prevention.
Approximately $800 in total merchandise was recovered from both incidents.
All three suspects were transported and booked at the High Desert Detention Center for conspiracy to commit burglary, with bail set at $60,000.
Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact the Apple Valley Police Station at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Taylor Reynolds
Station: Apple Valley
Phone No: (760) 240-7428
Case No. 182600491
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino Sheriff-Coroner Department
