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.

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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.

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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.

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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.