Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Tulare County Sheriff's 'Operation Tractor Pull' Uncovers Cross-Border Theft Ring
ANTHONY NEW HS
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 7 months ago on
October 30, 2024

Authorities in Tulare County uncovered a cross-border theft ring trafficking millions in stolen construction equipment into Mexico, leading to multiple arrests and recoveries. (Tulare County Sheriff's Office)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A sweeping investigation into stolen construction equipment has led to multiple arrests and the recovery of millions of dollars in stolen goods, the Tulare County Sherriff’s Office reported.

The probe, dubbed ‘Operation Tractor Pull,’ began in March 2024 when the sheriff’s office was alerted to a missing backhoe near Delano. Five days later, detectives tracked the stolen machinery to a truck stop in Tulare, where they discovered it hidden within a semi-truck, along with another backhoe and an excavator stolen from Kings County.

Detectives arrested two drivers, Juan Carlos Murrufo, 22, and Endi Jesus Lopez Bustillos, 31, both Mexican nationals, who were transporting the equipment. According to investigators, Murrufo and Bustillos revealed key details about a larger operation trafficking stolen machinery from California into Mexico.

They reportedly described multiple trips across the border, moving heavy equipment from across the Central Valley.

In the months that followed, the investigation expanded as sheriff’s detectives uncovered more stolen loaders in Camp Nelson, leading them to additional suspects and vehicles tied to the theft ring. Officers revealed a network responsible for over $2.25 million in stolen machinery, with $1.3 million successfully recovered so far.

Early Tuesday morning, detectives carried out raids at six locations in Los Banos, Hollister, Riverdale, and Lindsay, recovering stolen trailers, a generator, and $46,000 in cash. They also found firearms and two truckloads of processed marijuana.

The raids led to four new arrests, Noe Guevara, 30, of Los Banos; Joel Avila, 43, of Hollister; Isrrael Garrido Cortez, 32, of Lindsay; and Nicolas Ruiz Cruz, 24, of Salinas. The suspects face charges ranging from grand theft to conspiracy, while Cortez faces additional drug-related charges, according to authorities.

Several suspects remain at large, including Ivan Garcia, who authorities say was previously involved in drug trafficking across the border, and Marco Antonio Alvarez Medrano, a trucking company owner in Mexico flagged for ties to La Linea Cartel.

According to investigators, this cross-border operation exploited open border crossings to move stolen equipment from the U.S. into Mexico.

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, with efforts focused on apprehending remaining suspects.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

DON'T MISS

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

DON'T MISS

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

DON'T MISS

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

DON'T MISS

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

UP NEXT

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

UP NEXT

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

UP NEXT

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

UP NEXT

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

12 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

12 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

13 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

13 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

13 hours ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

13 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

14 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

16 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

16 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

16 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

The nonprofit supporting Fresno State’s ag specialty college unveiled its first corporate sponsor Thursday supporting students and tea...

10 hours ago

10 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

12 hours ago

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

12 hours ago

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

12 hours ago

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

12 hours ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

13 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

13 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
13 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend