Three young suspects broke through a fence, cut several locks and discharged fire extinguishers during a vandalism spree at an Apple Valley water utility facility just after 7:45 a.m. on May 5 — but it took more than 100 days for investigators to publicly release surveillance images and ask the community for help identifying them.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to the report at Thunderbird Water District, which operates a water utility facility in the 24700 block of Standing Rock Avenue, on the morning of the incident, according to Victor Valley News. Investigators did not go public with surveillance photos and a request for tips until August 19, more than three months after deputies were first called to the scene. Surveillance footage showed two unknown white males and one unknown white female, and at least two of the suspects wore motorcycle helmets during the break-in, according to KTLA.
Investigators say one of the male suspects was overheard being called Damon, while the female suspect was called Leah, though authorities have not confirmed those as real names. The trio cut through a fence surrounding the commercial property, broke several locks securing areas inside and discharged the facility's fire extinguishers, per the same report.
A Lead Pointing to a Nearby High School
Authorities searching for the three young suspects connected to the vandalism incident believe the perpetrators may be current or former students at Granite Hills High School, based on the investigation so far. The campus, established in 1999 at 22900 Esaws Road, serves approximately 1,734 students in grades 9 through 12 under the Apple Valley Unified School District, according to background compiled by Wikipedia. The school sits roughly three miles from the Thunderbird Water District facility where the vandalism occurred.
Thunderbird Water District is identified at a Standing Rock Avenue address; the cited property listing concerns a Cahuilla Road parcel. The supplied sources do not establish whether the area is unincorporated or which law-enforcement agency covers it.
Damage Could Trigger Felony Charges
Under California Penal Code Section 594, property damage equal to or exceeding $400 elevates vandalism from a misdemeanor to a wobbler that prosecutors can charge as a felony, carrying penalties of up to three years in state prison and fines up to $10,000, per My Rights Law. The break-in involved cut fencing, broken locks and discharged fire extinguishers at a public utility site, but the available reports do not provide a damage estimate. The investigation remained ongoing, and the identities were unconfirmed.
Separately, California Penal Code Section 594.2 makes it a misdemeanor to possess tools such as drill bits, chisels or broad-tipped markers with intent to vandalize property, a violation that can carry up to 90 hours of court-ordered community service outside school hours, according to FindLaw. It remains unclear whether any such tools were recovered from the scene.
Standing Rock Avenue's History With Law Enforcement
The May vandalism centered on Standing Rock Avenue's water infrastructure.
The break-in involved local water infrastructure in Apple Valley, while related local water coverage provides additional context.
How to Report Information
The Sheriff's Department is asking anyone with information to contact the Victor Valley Station at 760-552-6800 or sheriff's dispatch at 760-956-5001. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call or text We-Tip at 844-909-3006, or submit information digitally through the department's Catapult EMS portal at mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/sites. No arrests have been announced in the case as of publication.
