December 13, 2023 - Imperial County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 2:00 P.M. (1400 hours), the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office, South County Patrol Deputies, responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Highway 98 and Menville Road in Calexico, California. It was reported that the vehicle may be involved in a series of agricultural thefts in the Imperial Valley.

Deputies immediately responded to the area and located the vehicle in question, a grey, Toyota Sequoia towing a trailer. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and contact was made with the driver, who was identified as 39-year-old Guillermo Lara, a resident of Mexicali, Mexico. Lara was the sole occupant inside the vehicle.

Deputies conducted an initial investigation into the circumstances of Lara being involved in numerous agricultural thefts that had been reported locally. Stolen agriculture produce boxes were located during the traffic stop. Additional evidence was obtained during the subsequent investigation. Lara was arrested and booked into the Imperial County Jail for six counts of grand theft, his bail was set at $100,000.00.

This case remains open and further investigative leads are being followed up on at this time to include similar thefts occurring in Arizona. The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the agriculture community for their assistance. The public’s observations and swift reporting of suspicious activity helps ensure the safety of our community.

Source & photos: Imperial County Sheriff's Office