Sheriff Arrests Nine Suspects in San Bernardino Train Cargo Theft Case

Nine men identified by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department as residents of Mexico were arrested on October 16, 2026, in San Bernardino, California, during an investigation into railroad cargo burglaries allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. Investigators recovered more than $333,000 in stolen retail merchandise while executing a search warrant at a residence on East 35th Street.

According to a written statement from the Sheriff's Department, the investigation targeted an organized criminal network accused of burglarizing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway trains over the preceding 12 months. The operation involved the department's Rural Crime Task Force, assisted by its Specialized Enforcement Division.

The recovered merchandise included JBL speakers, Logitech computer hardware, Victoria's Secret products, Nike shoes, New Balance shoes and Husky tools, authorities said.

Investigators also seized four semiautomatic handguns, a drone allegedly used for surveillance, a large amount of cash, tools used to access train cargo containers, fentanyl suspected to be possessed for sale and four vehicles connected to recent train cargo burglaries, according to the department.

The nine arrested suspects were identified as Jose Navarrete, 24; Brian Iran Fontes-Carrillo, 27; Mauro Ruiz-Medina, 30; Pastor Pena-Lerma, 43; Alfredo Covarrubias-Navarrete, 24; Jose Alfredo Castillo-Baca, 24; Jose Ismael Palafox-Bernal, 18; Cesar Daniel Navarrete-Martinez, 31; and Cristian Erubiel Navarrete-Zapien, 23.

According to the Sheriff's Department, all nine men were booked at the Central Detention Center. The charges include conspiracy, theft of railroad property and possession of a controlled substance while armed.

The arrests followed the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of East 35th Street in San Bernardino. Authorities said the investigation focused on suspected links between the alleged criminal network and repeated thefts from railway cargo over the past year.

The Sheriff's Department said investigators will continue efforts to identify and arrest additional suspects and recover stolen property connected to the case.