Alleged Chop Shop Operator Arrested, Suspected In Murrieta Thefts

HOMELAND, CA — A man suspected of burglary and vehicle theft in Murrieta was arrested Thursday in Homeland by Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputies.

Rajendra Jagdeo, 38, was taken into custody around 3 p.m. Thursday after a search warrant was served at 32567 State Highway 74 in Homeland.

"This search warrant was part of an ongoing burglary and vehicle theft investigation from the areas of Hemet, Murrieta and Perris," according to the sheriff's department.

During the search, six stolen vehicles were found, including a Dodge Ram truck, a Chevrolet Corvette, a Suzuki street bike, a box trailer and two quads, the sheriff's department said.

Other stolen property linked to previous burglaries in the area was also found at the location, according to the sheriff's department.

Jagdeo was arrested at the scene and booked into Murrieta's Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of operating a vehicle chop shop, possession of stolen property, and theft with priors. He was released Friday on $5,000 bail and was due to appear in court May 25, jail records showed.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy Hefington at the Perris Sheriff's Station: 951-210-1000.