Suspect Arrested for Grand Theft 

December 13, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on October 20, 2025, at 8:54 a.m., deputies from the Lake Mathews Sheriff’s Station responded to the 24000 block of Hill Top Drive in the unincorporated area of Riverside County, known as Lake Mathews, regarding a theft of construction equipment valued at approximately $11,000. Upon arrival, deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect (s).

On November 20, 2025, the Lake Mathews Station Special Enforcement Team assumed the investigation and identified Sergio Fernandez, a 34-year-old resident of Perris, as a suspect in the theft.

On December 9, 2025, through investigative leads, Fernandez was located at a residence in the 20000 block of Souder Street, Perris. A search warrant was served at the residence, and Fernandez was taken into custody without incident. The stolen construction equipment was not located at the Souder Street residence. Fernandez was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center for grand theft and vehicle theft.

Further investigation led to the location and recovery of the stolen construction equipment at a residence located on the 10000 block of Jurupa Road, Jurupa Valley. The stolen construction equipment was returned to the victim.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time. The Riverside Sheriff’s Lake Mathews Station requests that anyone with information regarding this investigation contact Deputy Torres with the Lake Mathews Station Special Enforcement Team by calling (951) 272-5600 or the Riverside Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Matthew Bolle

File # MA252930008

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office