Two Arrested for Vehicle Theft; One Only a Week After Jail Release

CRESTLINE  – A Pomona and a Running Springs man were arrested for a vehicle theft auto with priors on Saturday morning. At around 5:15 a.m. deputies from the Twin Peaks station responded to the 24000 block of Ocean View Drive in Crestline for the report of a vehicle theft. The victim told authorities that he was woken up by his black Nissan pickup truck  being driven away from his home that morning.

While on his way to the scene a deputy saw the vehicle driving westbound on highway 18. He conducted a traffic stop on the pickup truck occupied by 19-year-old Timothy Lund of Pomona and 24-year-old Joseph Leslie of Running Springs. The deputy took both men into custody without incident.

During the investigation the victim found that when the pickup was stolen, his second vehicle was also stolen. Lund was found to have several sets of shaved keys, oftentimes used as a tool to steal vehicles. The second vehicle was found a short time later abandoned nearby on Crest Forest Drive. Lund was also found to be in possession of the keys belonging to the second vehicle.

A third vehicle, a grey 1997 Toyota Camry that was stolen out of the City of Chino on November 21, 2016 was also located across from the victim’s Crestline home. Lund was also found to be in possession linking him to that theft. Lund and Leslie were booked into the Central Detention Center for vehicle theft.

Leslie was arrested in early November for taking a controlled substance into a jail, but on November 18th pleaded not guilty to the lesser misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. He was released with 14 days of time served, and was given 2 years of summary probation. He was also arrested in October of 2016 for the operation of a Running Springs Drug house and for five arrest warrants for drug and theft-related offenses. It is unclear if that case was dropped or if the two are related.

Authorities believe both suspects may be linked to other recent burglaries in the Twin Peaks and other Inland Empire areas. Anyone with further information about the case should contact Deputy Maestas at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station (909) 336-0600. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.

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