Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Josh Hephner
File # TE230670173
Details:
On March 8, 2023, at 4:30 PM, Riverside Sheriff’s Southwest Station deputies responded to a business in the 44600 block of Pechanga Parkway in the City of Temecula regarding the theft of a 2021 Forest River travel trailer. It was learned the travel trailer was stolen on March 7, 2023, at approximately 6:15 PM by a heavyset male adult driving a white pick-up truck.
The Southwest Station’s Robbery/Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) assumed the investigation and began following all leads. It was learned at least three other trailers were stolen from the same storage facility between February and March, and the same gate code was used to access the facility on each occasion. Through investigative leads and video surveillance, members of RBST positively identified the suspect of each incident as Jessie Villalpando, a 32-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore. The suspect vehicles primarily utilized during the thefts were determined to be a white 2022 Dodge Ram with Florida license plates and white 2020 Toyota Tundra with California license plates. It was also determined Penske and U-Haul style truck rentals were used in the thefts.
On March 21, 2023, Villalpando was located near the 30600 block of Briggs Road in Menifee, where he was taken into custody without incident. At the time of Villalpando’s arrest, he was in possession of two additional stolen trailers, including a utility box trailer and a 28-foot travel trailer. RSBT deputies also identified multiple storage units belonging to Villalpando, where a search warrant was served and additional stolen property was located. At least seven trailers were determined to have been stolen by Villalpando. Villalpando was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for multiple counts of possession of stolen property and vehicle theft.
The investigation determined that Villalpando has been stealing utility box trailers and travel trailers since approximately November 2022 throughout Riverside County. The trailers have primarily been stolen from storage facilities. It is believed there are additional victims who have not been identified.
Anyone with information about this case or aware of additional incidents involving Villalpando is encouraged to contact Deputy Alfonso Valadez of the Southwest Station RBST Team at (951) 696–3032.
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