Over a dozen individuals have been arrested in connection with a plot to rob a train in Southern California.
According to a press release, investigators from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Office’s Local Crimes Task Force, alongside Railroad Police and the Hesperia Station Detective Bureau, carried out a search warrant at a residence in Hesperia on October 6. During this operation, they found seven suspects trying to escape and discovered seven others inside the home.
On October 6, 2025, at around 6:30 a.m., investigators, with help from BNSF Railroad Police and the Hesperia Station Detective Bureau, executed a search warrant on Willow Street in Hesperia. This warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into recent train robberies in the Victor Valley region.
Upon arrival, seven suspects attempted to flee the scene. With support from the Sheriff’s Aviation Department and Hesperia Station personnel, all seven were quickly apprehended and taken back to the residence. Additionally, seven more suspects were found inside.
The arrested individuals include: Jose Rodriguez Cecena, 28; Tomas Valdez Olivarez, 25; Jesus Jimenez Gonzalez, 24; Johan Camargo Salazar, 25; Juan Oliveras Valdez, 27; Jesus Fierro Escalante, 22; Leobardo Corral Corrales, 46; Juan Jimenez Garcia, 29; Ezequiel Jimenez Gasiola, 36; Jose Navarreta Carrillo, 24; Isidro Mendivil Mendez, 23; Armando Gonzalez, 20; Eloid Paz Lizarraga, 21; and Guadalupe Alejandro Raya, 26.
While executing the search warrant, investigators found items stolen from BNSF Railway, valued at around $42,500.
Additionally, they reportedly discovered about $55,000 in U.S. currency.
CBS News reported that a total of 31 individuals were arrested in relation to the train robbery. Warrants were also executed at a residence and a business in Victorville, as well as the Hesperia home.
The search warrant led to the recovery of approximately $42,000 in U.S. currency and $133,867 in stolen goods from the train robbery at a home on Anacapa Road.
Authorities also seized eight illegal firearms, which included four rifles and four pistols.
