VICTOR VALLEY, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Authorities recovered more than $2.1 million in stolen BNSF Railway property during a series of coordinated raids in Los Angeles County, as part of a Victor Valley based investigation into train burglaries.
According to a written statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the multi-agency operation was carried out on Thursday, October 30, 2025, beginning at approximately 6:00 a.m.
The investigation was led by the department’s Rural Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Victor Valley Detective Bureau, MET Team, BNSF Railroad Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Southgate Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities served a total of seven search warrants across multiple locations in Southgate and Paramount.
The initial search took place in the 4900 block of Mason Street in Southgate, where investigators discovered a large, locked prefabricated room inside a body shop. The room contained a significant amount of stolen property belonging to BNSF Railway.
Follow-up evidence led to two additional search warrants served at a residence and a business across the street in the 4900 block of Firestone Boulevard, Southgate. Three individuals were arrested during the operation:
- Alfredo Santos Reyes, 34, of Southgate
- Cesar Martinez, 41, of Southgate
- Jorge Castillo, 46, of Southgate
Investigators then served a fourth search warrant at a residence in the 7800 block of Rose Street, Paramount, where more stolen property was found.
That search led to a fifth warrant at a nearby storage facility in the 7000 block of San Luis Street, Paramount. Two additional warrants were obtained for separate storage units at the same location, both of which contained stolen BNSF items.
A final search warrant was executed at another residence in the 14900 block of Downey Avenue, Paramount. Additional stolen property was recovered from that location as well.
All recovered property was returned to BNSF Railway, which estimated the total value of the items at $2,118,459.20.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Rural Crimes Task Force at 760-248-7328. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit www.wetip.com.
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