$194K Fiber Optic Cable Theft Disrupts Communications; 9 Arrested by the Rural Crimes Task Force 

April 6, 2026 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that on Tuesday March 31, 2026, investigators with the Rural Crimes Task Force investigated a fiber optic cable theft near the intersection of East Fairway Drive and North Crossroads Drive in the City of San Bernardino. The theft of the underground fiber optic cable caused 2 days of critical infrastructure communication outages.

Investigators identified alleged suspects involved living just north of the theft location in a homeless encampment. Rural Crime Investigators assisted by Deputies from Central Station and Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement H.O.P.E. team contacted subjects at the encampment. Approximately 300’ of fiber optic cable was located near the encampment. 

AT&T estimated the damage to be $194,000.00 not including fines and customer paybacks for outages.

During the investigation nine suspects were arrested for the theft. 



DATE/TIME: March 31, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: Theft of AT&T Fiber Optic Cable
LOCATION: San Bernardino, California
SUSPECT(S): Manuel Cisneros, 42-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                      Rudy Salazar, 37-years-old, Resident of Rialto
                      Justin Lewis, 37-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                      Crystal Flores, 37-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                      Alexandria Cornaggia, 31-years-old, Resident of Rialto
                      Jamie Frey, 47-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                      Jonathan Valdivia, 33-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                      Rachel Jimenez, 40-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino
                     Joe Corral Jr., 46-years-old, Resident of San Bernardino 
VICTIM(S): AT&T Inc.
Refer: If you have any further information of this crime, please contact the Deputy Mark Contreras at Gangs/Narcotics Rural Crime Task Force at (909) 387-8400. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at www.wetip.com.
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Rural Crime Task Force
Phone No. (909) 387-8400
Case No. 522600035

Source & photos: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department