DATE: August 29, 2026, at 10:29 a.m.
INCIDENT: 496 (Cargo Theft)
LOCATION: National Trails Highway, Helendale, CA
SUSPECT(S): Facundo Simon Garcia-Ayala, 43-year-old, Transient from San Bernardino
VICTIM(S): BNSF Railroad
SUMMARY: Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of approximately 30 subjects actively unloading cargo boxes from a train boxcar into a vehicle. While en route to the location, responding deputies found a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.
Upon pulling over, two male occupants immediately fled the vehicle on foot. Following a brief pursuit, deputies successfully apprehended one of the male suspects.
A subsequent inspection of the vehicle revealed numerous cargo boxes inside. BNSF Railway Police responded to the scene and confirmed that the recovered boxes had been stolen from the targeted boxcar. The cargo contained high-value merchandise consisting of Brooks running shoes, with an estimated total retail value of $57,000.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department, Barstow station at 760-256-4838.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous should call or text REPORT to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Online reporting is also available at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
Refer: J. Rivas
Station: Barstow Station
Phone No. 760-256-4838
Case No. 082601412
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
