A California theft ring trafficking millions in stolen construction equipment across the border to Mexico has been busted.

$2.25 Million Stolen Machinery Ring Exposed: Trafficking Network Busted at U.S.-Mexico Border!

A California theft ring trafficking millions in stolen construction equipment across the border to Mexico has been busted. 🌐 #News #TulareCountyCA #California #Crime

TULARE COUNTY, CA – Authorities in California have dismantled an extensive theft ring funneling stolen machinery across the border, marking a major step in fighting organized crime that impacts both local businesses and cross-border security. Dubbed “Operation Tractor Pull,” the investigation revealed a sprawling, high-value theft operation involving construction and agricultural equipment valued at $2.25 million.

The Start of Operation Tractor Pull

The investigation began in March when a backhoe was reported missing near Delano. Days later, a LoJack alert identified the stolen backhoe hidden in a semi-truck, alongside a second stolen backhoe and an excavator missing from Kings County. Tulare County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that LoJack was crucial in locating the machinery and catching two suspects, Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Murrufo, 22, and Endi Jesus Lopez Bustillos, 31, who were arrested on the spot.

Investigators uncovered that Murrufo and Bustillos had been transporting stolen equipment to Mexico in multiple trips. Their statements opened the door to a larger, cross-border trafficking ring.

Building the Case: New Leads and BOLO Alerts

In April, detectives received a “Be On The Lookout” alert from Stanislaus County related to additional suspects, broadening the case.

By June, the discovery of two stolen loaders in Camp Nelson linked more individuals to the operation, providing detectives with a clearer picture of the network behind these high-value heists.

Surveillance Efforts Lead to $1.3 Million Recovered

With growing evidence, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, along with surrounding law enforcement agencies, launched extensive surveillance efforts.

These efforts revealed a network responsible for over $2.5 million in stolen machinery, and by Tuesday, authorities had recovered 24 items worth approximately $1.3 million. Recovered property included three stolen trailers, a generator, and $46,000 in cash.

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Coordinated Raids Across Multiple California Cities

Early Tuesday morning, law enforcement executed warrants at six locations across Los Banos, Hollister, Riverdale, and Lindsay.

The operation led to four additional arrests, including 30-year-old Noe Guevara of Los Banos, 43-year-old Joel Avila of Hollister, 32-year-old Isrrael Garrido Cortez of Lindsay, and 24-year-old Nicolas Ruiz Cruz of Salinas.

During the raids, authorities found two truck-bed loads of processed marijuana, multiple firearms—including two handguns, two rifles, and three shotguns—and large amounts of cash.

Criminal Charges and an Ongoing Search

All six suspects face charges of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and receiving stolen property. Garrido Cortez also faces charges for operating or maintaining a drug house.

Meanwhile, five suspects remain at large: Ivan Avila Garcia, 30, and Michael Angel Saez, 43, both of Los Banos; Francisco Muniz de la Mora, 33, of Riverdale; Eliseo Ortiz Puyicatla, 43, of Lindsay; and Marco Antonio Alvarez Medrano, 36, of Mexico.

The Sheriff’s Office reported that Alvarez Medrano owns a trucking company flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for suspected ties to drug trafficking through La Linea Cartel.

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A Coordinated Effort Against Cross-Border Crime

The operation highlights how quickly stolen property can disappear into a black-market network, raising security concerns for businesses along the U.S.-Mexico border.

With law enforcement efforts underway to track the remaining suspects, “Operation Tractor Pull” signals an ongoing commitment to bringing criminals to justice and safeguarding regional industries from similar losses in the future.

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