CHP - Major Crimes Unit

08/20/2026

08/13/2026

07/21/2026

07/14/2026

🚨Homicide Investigation - Merced County🚨

On July 9, 2026, at approximately 12:19 p.m., the CHP Merced Communications Center received a report of a missing person believed to be on State Route 152 east of Lower Cottonwood Road.

Officers from the CHP Los Banos Area and deputies from the Merced County Sheriff's Office responded to the location, where they discovered a deceased man inside the trunk of a white Tesla sedan.

The victim has been identified as Javier Becerril, a 42-year-old man from Hollister, California.

The CHP Central Division Major Crimes Unit is leading the homicide investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the CHP Merced Communication Center at 209-356-2900 or by email At [email protected] and request the Central Division Major Crimes Unit to provide any information regarding this incident.

As this remains an active investigation, no additional information is being released at this time.

06/12/2026

🚨 Stolen Vehicle Investigation Leads to Arrest in Fresno 🚨

On June 6, 2026, the CHP Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) Task Force located a stolen Chevrolet Suburban in Fresno that had been connected to multiple crimes, including two business burglaries in Northeast Fresno, a grand theft of equipment in unincorporated Fresno County, and a prior pursuit where the vehicle evaded capture.

HEAT investigators established surveillance and, with assistance from CHP air units and coordination with Fresno Police Department investigators, tracked the vehicle and its occupant as the investigation continued.

After several hours of surveillance, HEAT investigators contacted the suspect in Fresno and took him into custody without incident. During the investigation, stolen property connected to the reported burglaries was recovered.

The suspect was booked into the Fresno County Jail on vehicle theft-related charges by HEAT and additional commercial burglary charges by the Fresno Police Department.

This investigation highlights the continued partnership between law enforcement agencies working together to recover stolen property, hold offenders accountable, and protect our communities.

06/02/2026

Fresno County Ca.- On May 30, 2026 the CHP Central Division Crime Suppression Team (CST) and the Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT)
Task Force partnered in a proactive enforcement operation that led to the arrest of a wanted suspect.

Following a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation, investigators recovered two illegally possessed handguns, including one equipped with a threaded barrel. Officers also seized multiple high-capacity magazines and nearly 500 rounds of am******on.

The suspect, a convicted felon prohibited from possessing fi****ms and am******on, was taken into custody.

The collaboration between CST and HEAT demonstratesCHP Central Division's continued commitment to targeting criminal activity, removing illegal weapons from our communities, and enhancing public safety throughout the Central Valley.

06/02/2026

05/29/2026

🚔 AUTO THEFT & ILLEGAL FI****MS INVESTIGATION 🚔

In January 2026, Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Task Foce (TRATT) investigators arrested a Hanford man after he was found in possession of a VIN-switched stolen vehicle originally reported stolen out of Florida. During the investigation, cellular phones seized pursuant to a search warrant revealed evidence linking the suspect to multiple VIN-switched stolen vehicles.

Investigators uncovered a sophisticated operation in which vehicles stolen from the East Coast were transported to California, fraudulently re-registered using false identities, and resold to unsuspecting victims.

The investigation also revealed evidence connecting the suspect to multiple illegal fi***rm transactions. Over the following weeks, investigators conducted extensive surveillance, interviews, and multiple search warrants.

On May 21, 2026, investigators served search warrants at properties in Hanford and neighboring communities. During the operation, investigators recovered additional fi****ms and high-capacity magazines.

The suspect was arrested on charges including:
▪️ Auto Theft
▪️ Felon in Possession of a Fi***rm
▪️ Possession of a Machine Gun
▪️ Illegal Sale of a Fi***rm
▪️ Conspiracy

Investigators also identified an additional suspect as an active participant in the VIN-switch operation. She was arrested for auto theft and conspiracy charges.

This investigation remains ongoing.

05/26/2026

🚨Major Auto Theft Ring Dismantled in Kern County🚨

Beginning in January 2026, a sophisticated theft crew targeted high-trim GMC and Chevrolet heavy-duty pickup trucks throughout the Bakersfield area. Investigators determined the suspects were able to disable alarms, bypass ignition systems, and steal the trucks within minutes. Over a two-month period, 22 trucks valued at nearly $2 million were stolen.

Detectives from the Kern County Auto Theft Taskforce (KernCATT) — comprised of personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Bakersfield Police Department, and Kern County Sheriff’s Office — launched a complex investigation involving surveillance operations and coordination with several allied agencies across California.

On April 14, 2026, KernCATT detectives responded to an in-progress vehicle theft and successfully prevented the theft of another GMC heavy-duty pickup truck. Two suspects were arrested after fleeing the scene. In the following weeks, investigators served multiple search warrants that led to the seizure of additional evidence linking the suspects to the theft ring.

Eight suspects from Arvin, CA, were arrested and booked on numerous felony charges, including vehicle theft, conspiracy, possession of stolen vehicles, burglary tools, and weapons-related offenses. Each suspect was held on $1,000,000 bail.

Outstanding teamwork and collaboration by all agencies involved helped bring this organized theft operation to an end. 👏

05/01/2026

🚨 HEAT Task Force Recovery 🚨

Yesterday, the CHP Central Division Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) Task Force recovered a stolen Dodge Charger out of Ceres that had been taken back in 2025.

A sharp HEAT investigator spotted a modified, souped-up Charger cruising through Fresno—but something didn’t add up… 👀 That same vehicle was already known to be sitting disassembled and undrivable at a separate location. One car can’t be in two places at once.

Trusting their instincts, HEAT investigators took a closer look and uncovered the truth: the Charger on the road was actually a different vehicle tied to the original theft out of Ceres.

Thanks to their attention to detail and persistence, the stolen vehicle was recovered and is now being returned to its rightful owner. 👏