Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 4, 2026 at 10:40 PM

INCIDENT: PC 459(c) - Commercial Burglary, PC 487(h) - Grand Theft of Cargo Over $950

LOCATION: Twentynine Palms Highway near Cholla Avenue, Yucca Valley

SUSPECT 1: Eddiel Burgos, 30-year-old male, resident of Sinoloa, Mexico
SUSPECT 2: Pastor Pena Lerma, 43-year-old male, resident of Sinaloa, Mexico

VICTIM(S): Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, Ariat, and Dewalt


SUMMARY: On Friday, September 4, 2026, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Morongo Basin Station deputies were notified by BNSF Railway investigators of a train heist near the unincorporated county area of Amboy involving approximately 15 to 20 vehicles.  Several of the vehicles were described as white box trucks. 

According to investigators, the cargo contained Ariat brand boots and Dewalt construction equipment valued at approximately $50,000.

At about 10:40 p.m., off-duty Morongo Basin Station MET Deputy Ranslem was driving home after his shift when he observed a white box truck occupied by three Hispanic males that matched the description provided by BNSF.  The truck was traveling westbound on Twentynine Palms Highway.  Recognizing the potential connection to the recently reported train burglary, Deputy Ranslem immediately notified on-duty deputies and provided information regarding the vehicle and its direction of travel.

Deputy Tokar located the box truck on Highway 62 near Cholla and conducted a traffic stop.  Two occupants immediately fled from the truck, while a third remained inside and was detained by assisting California Highway Patrol officers.  Deputy Tokar pursued the two fleeing suspects through a nearby dirt lot.  Sheriff's Aviation responded to assist and subsequently located one of the suspects hiding in a bush north of the traffic stop location.

This incident highlights the increasing concern surrounding train cargo thefts and organized efforts to steal merchandise from freight trains.  These thefts have become more frequent and involve highly controlled criminal syndicates working together to quickly disable trains, remove cargo from containers, then transport stolen property to various locations.  In this case, the attentiveness of an off-duty MET deputy played a critical role in identifying a suspicious vehicle, which allowed deputies to quickly intervene and recover a significant amount of stolen property.

Eddiel Burgos and Pastor Pena Lerma were transported to and booked into the Morongo Basin Jail for PC 459(c), Commercial Burglary, and PC 487(h)(a), Grand Theft of Cargo valued over $950.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department encourages members of the community to remain alert and report suspicious activity.  Deputy Ranslem’s actions demonstrate how recognizing and promptly reporting suspicious activity can make a significant difference in an active investigation and help prevent stolen property from being further distributed.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may submit a We-Tip at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites or text “REPORT” to (844) 909-3006.



Refer: Deputy S. Tokar

Station: Morongo Basin Station

Phone No. 760-366-4175

Case No. 232601469

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