SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. – Nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of over 200 propane tanks from an AmeriGas facility in Adelanto, San Bernardino County.
The suspects, all of whom are residents of Lancaster, were arrested after authorities responded to the theft on April 29, around 12:08 p.m. Employees at AmeriGas reported that over 200 propane tanks had been stolen from their location on Daisy Road. The suspects had fled the scene before deputies arrived.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies initiated an investigation and served four search warrants at residences in the Lancaster and Victor Valley areas. During the searches, they recovered the stolen propane tanks, as well as illegal firearms and 11 stolen vehicles.
The following suspects were arrested on felony charges:
Jerrica Spencer, 27
Vidal Barrios, 37
Moises Labra, 38
Javier Benitez, 44
Pedro Rodriguez, 45
Michael Berkheimer, 54
Aurelio Valdez, 68
Sergio Santiago-Torres, 68
Jose Morena, 74
The suspects face charges of commercial burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, vehicle theft, and possession of an illegal weapon.
This theft follows a similar incident on March 31, when over 100 propane tanks were reported stolen from the same facility. Investigators executed a search warrant in Palmdale, where 160 stolen propane tanks were recovered.
The thefts remain under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Deputy C. Lajuj at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800.
