A routine disturbance call in Hesperia led to the discovery of a chop-shop operation and the arrest of one suspect last Wednesday night. The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department reported Deputy Contreras of the Hesperia Police Department responded to a call at around 8:28 P.M. to the 10600 block of Eleventh Avenue due to a reported armed individual. The detailed findings were released in a public statement by the department.
The initial call took a sharp turn when Deputy Contreras, attempting to resolve the disturbance, stumbled upon what he soon realized to be a stolen vehicle near the scene. It did not take long to quickly confirm that the vehicle was indeed stolen and to uncover the presence of additional stolen vehicles. In his investigation, which also involved auto-theft specialists, several more vehicles in the process of being dismantled were found.
The identified suspects, Stephanie Lee, a 33-year-old Victorville resident, and Adrian Delacruz, aged 31 from Hesperia, had both fled by the time authorities arrived at the location. According to the sheriff's department, Lee was apprehended later in a stolen vehicle and has since been incarcerated at the High Desert Detention Center. She faces multiple charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle and owning a chop shop.
Delacruz was contacted by the authorities but was released on scene as charges are pending with the District Attorney's Office. Law enforcement is urging anyone with further information to assist in the ongoing investigation by contacting the Hesperia Police Department directly or through the We-Tip Hotline. All communications can be maintained anonymously, ensuring confidentiality for those wanting to aid without disclosure of identity.
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