Five arrested in Cajon Pass train shooting and cargo theft investigation
San Bernardino, CA (KESQ) - Five people have been arrested in connection with a shooting involving a BNSF Railway Police officer and the alleged burglary of rail cars in the Cajon Pass, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation began Monday, August 10, at approximately 6:04 p.m., when deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the California Highway Patrol responded to the area of Cajon Boulevard and Keenbrook Road following a report of shots fired.
BNSF Railway Police officers had encountered individuals suspected of burglarizing rail cars and attempted to stop the activity. During the incident, one suspect fired a handgun in the direction of a BNSF officer. The officer was not struck or injured.
The train continued northbound before eventually stopping in the Summit Valley area. Deputies and BNSF officers established a perimeter around the train, while Sheriff’s Aviation and personnel from the Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division assisted with a search of rail cars believed to have been entered.
No suspects were located during the initial search. Several vehicles and individuals in the surrounding area were investigated but were determined to be unrelated to the incident. No deputies or BNSF officers were injured.
The Sheriff’s Rural Crime Task Force subsequently assumed responsibility for the investigation and identified a suspect in the shooting. An arrest warrant for attempted murder was issued.
On Wednesday, August 12, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Rural Crime Task Force investigators, assisted by the San Bernardino Police Department, located the primary suspect and four other individuals traveling in a vehicle in San Bernardino.
Investigators conducted a traffic stop and detained all five occupants. During a search of the vehicle, authorities reported finding tools believed to have been used to burglarize trains.
The primary suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, cargo theft and conspiracy to commit a crime. The four additional suspects were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, cargo theft and possession of burglary tools.
All five suspects were booked into the Central Detention Center, where they remain in custody, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Rural Crimes Task Force at 909-387-8400.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call or text “REPORT” to We-Tip at 844-909-3006. Anonymous information can also be submitted through the Sheriff’s Department’s online reporting system.
