You were stealing that trailer, and moving it. You were. And then you tried to leave and you damaged like tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff over here, so that's vandalism. >> On September 24th, 2025, officers responded to a California property where a woman attempted to take a dump trailer after answering a $100 Facebook job posting. When property owners blocked her exit with machetes in hand, what appeared to be a misunderstanding quickly became a multi-charge felony investigation. >> Trespassing. >> You can clear it out in the upper lot. >> You guys >> We can take it out of here. He's walking to the upper lot to clear it out in there. Spend like a week in another city here. >> How's work going? >> This is trespassing >> Yeah. >> It's something I'd be like yeah, something >> It would be nice. >> It's a clean up but someone's trying to clean up what they did. >> I [clears throat] believe it was started like that. >> I know it was something for 20 face or whatever it was. It was something for 20 face. I can't remember what it was. >> Prince or something Prince. >> Yeah. Okay, I'm talking. >> They were trying to stop this lady. They got her out of it. And they hooked up to this trailer. Some trailer. What these guys are working with taking out trash. They unhooked. And then they tried to head this way, hit some meter boxes. Then came back. And then this lady and he jumped out and chased them out of the trailer. So there's no 245, no 602. That's I mean the only difference is it's a felony. But >> Oh, it's from there. >> Yeah. And then I don't want anything to do with this car. >> Cuz it's a 1085 and I'm out of here. So they don't want anything. >> Uh let's talk to them and you know, I'll see what these people say. What's going on, guys? What do you guys up to today? >> I was trying to make a 100 bucks. >> Do you know what? >> a scam. >> Okay. Where do you guys stay at? >> I live by Fibonacci. >> At Fibonacci? >> Yeah. >> Okay. do you guys say? Oh, so you guys came here today what are you guys trying to do? >> Someone told me they'd pay me $100 if I came and picked that up. It's a full trash bag. >> Uh-huh, where's the trailer at? >> It's over there. It's all week. >> Uh-huh. >> Tried to leave. >> Uh-huh. >> And she waved her arms and I realized it's a sting. He backed >> Uh-huh. >> He tried to leave and he blocked the driveway. >> Uh-huh. >> So >> So this is their property or what? >> I don't >> Uh-huh. >> Travis is Travis is sleeping. >> Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Who told you to come pick this thing up? >> Travis on the phone. >> Travis who? >> McHale. I'm so bad >> know him? >> I just met him. >> All right, and where did he tell you to take it? >> He told me to >> Uh-huh. How do you How do you know this Travis guy? >> I just met him on Facebook. >> Uh-huh. All right. And that's how he talked to you on Facebook? So you and Travis are going to take some kind of trailer. Does the trailer What kind of trailer is it? >> Like a dump trailer. >> Okay. >> And then like I said as soon as I was like, "Well, this isn't real >> Uh-huh. >> or isn't right or something." >> Uh-huh. Do you have messages from him that says he wants you to take it? >> I checked on my phone but I don't have it. >> Hm? >> I don't have it. >> Can you sign in to your buddy's phone or his phone or huh? Oh. So how am I supposed to corroborate the story that you were going to try to steal this trailer? Huh? >> I can try to call numbers. >> What number? >> I have a I have a paper in here somewhere with his >> You just told me you like digging around in there. Where is that? So you hooked up to it, you moved it, they were when you got out, so you guys put it back? >> Yeah, immediately as soon >> Did they follow you back here when you guys were putting it back or? >> No, they stayed over there. So, then we tried to leave because we're like, "Sorry, it's a mistake." >> Without the trailer, right? >> Yeah, without the trailer. >> So, you just drove back, put it back? >> Yeah. Immediately as soon as we realized that it was not >> All right. And what's that phone number? And who is that? >> Um It should be Travis, I think. >> Travis? And he's going to say that he came he told you to come here and get it? >> I hope so. >> All right. And did he say he's the owner or what? >> I believe that. >> All right, so it's a 51. Hey Casey. Uh do they own this trailer? >> They do. >> Yeah, so so she comes here, she sees some random dude, she calls her only on Facebook, probably told her to come pick it up. She goes and grabs it, starts to drive out, catches them on the way. So, she telephones her and says >> Mhm. >> She goes to catch them on the way out. They tell her to put it back, so she goes and puts it back. And then she tries to leave and they arrest her for theft. >> Do you have a 241? >> A 51. I believe it was a 51. She did steal it, she did move it. So, what are we doing? >> Yeah. So Yeah, so they chased the dude with the machete. >> Okay. >> Because he was trying to steal that trailer. >> Yeah. >> They stole it. They did steal it. They stole it and drove it. >> Yeah. >> To the entrance where they met them. They told them to put it back, they went to put it back. Then they just tried to leave and they refused to let them leave because they called the cops. Cuz they stole it. >> Yeah. >> So, how's that an attempt? That'd be a 10-51. And do they want to press charges? >> No. They Nothing happened to them. >> What did they say to me? Do they want to press their trailer? >> Yeah. >> She stole it. >> They don't want >> What do they want to ask me? >> Yeah, but they're from down south. >> Why not? >> Well, I think if that's their [ __ ] trailer and they [ __ ] stole it and then they moved it and then they put it back. >> That's a 10-51. >> I don't see how it's not. I don't know why they don't want it. I don't know [ __ ] >> I'm just Hey guys. So, talking to them, I'm just confused. So, I talked to them. So, basically they're dump trailers here. She comes here with the intent to steal it. She hooks up to it, drives out here, steals the trailer. They catch her in the process, tell her to put it back. So, then she puts it back. So, is that like a 451? >> That's not what they told me. It's not what they It's not what they told me. >> Okay. Okay. >> When I got here, she said that they were paying for the trailer. Somebody named Travis would pick up the trailer. >> Mhm. Yeah, she showed me like Facebook messages, but her phone's smashed and she can't show them to you now. Yeah. >> And they said they show up and they're connected to the trailer over there. That's what they told me. >> Oh. >> And then uh And then I said, "Okay, so how is it supposed to be?" And they told me it's connected. Okay. And then they said they wouldn't believe it and they didn't understand. So, they were just going to go on their way. They claimed >> Oh. >> that she stole the trailer. They were waiting for her to steal it. >> Oh. >> That's why she tried to run it out of here. >> Oh. That's what the story here is from. >> All right. Yeah, what she told me was basically they hooked up to it. They drove a distance. They met them at the gate. They told them to put it back. So, she puts it back. Then she tries to leave. They don't let her leave and they're holding machetes. So, then they took off running. So, basically they stole the trailer, were told to put it back, and then machete to hold them here and took off. >> The subject claimed she was deceived by a Facebook contact named Travis Mahone. Under California Penal Code Section 487, theft requires specific intent to deprive the owner of property. The unwitting mule defense is not legally implausible, but it depends entirely on corroboration. Here, the subject could not produce the Facebook messages and the phone number she gave officers did not match the name she attributed to it. The theft offense was legally complete the moment she hooked up the trailer and moved it, regardless of whether it was later returned. California courts have consistently held that return of stolen property mitigates damages, but does not negate the completed offense. The intent element was satisfied at the point of taking. The escape attempts generated a second independent charge, felony vandalism under penal code section 594. The statute requires only that property be maliciously damaged and California courts interpret maliciously to include reckless disregard, not only deliberate intent. Multiple attempts to force a vehicle through unsuitable terrain, resulting in damage to electrical infrastructure, almost certainly meets that threshold given the officer's on-scene estimate of tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Before resuming the interview, the officer conducted a brief pat-down, legally sound under Terry versus Ohio 1968. Officers may conduct a limited search when there is reasonable articulable suspicion that criminal activity is occurring and the subject may be armed. With machetes confirmed on scene moments earlier and the subject's companion unaccounted for, both Terry elements were clearly present. >> Yeah, exactly. So, it's not like a 245 or anything. They have a 417, but they're suspects actually stealing something that belongs to those guys. >> For real, I guess. How would they get tangled, I guess? >> Yeah, I think that smashed. >> Yeah, was this thing? >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, that that that that that Yeah, can I touch it? >> Yeah, okay. Did they smash it on that side? >> Yeah, they were going to go there. >> Yeah. I'm trying to see this part apparently damaged to something over here cuz they were going to That's Oh, that one. I see now. Did they come in this way, too? >> I don't know. I think they >> I'll go check. >> they didn't. I don't think they did. But, see, they jumped out like this trying to get away from said machete. >> yeah. >> And then backed up, hit it. I'm not sure. Times 10. >> Yeah. I really crashed cuz they were trying to get away. >> Yeah. They're trying to get away cuz they were like talking about the cops cuz they tried to steal this person's trailer. >> Exactly. That's what we said. >> Yeah, so they can get by on it. They hooked up, they drove away. >> it. >> Yes, yes, yes. So that'd be a 10-51 and these people don't want to leave cuz they don't want to be prosecuted. So I I don't care how how it happens either. Do you guys want to take 10-51 or do you want to >> just put this in one I think they have to do with new lights or I got the electrician. >> What what are you what are you guys looking at then? >> It's got a meter in it inside. >> I don't know at this point. I'm trying to figure out. So this is >> Do you have any intention getting it? What was the plan? >> Yeah. No. No, not for this. >> Are you guys going to drive anything that they're on the on 417 or anything like that? >> No. >> That's not >> They're they're not making that. >> So it's really so >> So really all all that you would have is that 10-51 if they want to press charges. >> They do. >> And they do. >> Okay, so what are we doing with this? This is the result of the 10-51. So we we take >> Just Who do who does this? Is is I guess what I'm asking. >> Um >> How does that get >> I guess she just added in as vandalism while attempting to flee. I don't know. I'm trying to think. I'm trying to think. We could Let me talk to you about what what happened with this. >> Okay. >> What kind of crime we have here? >> Yeah. I think we could do like 594 >> Yeah, yeah, that's good. That's good. Yeah. >> I don't really know where to start that though, you know. She's attempting to flee after she committed a crime and she's really scared, you know, or she's yeah. Okay, well she didn't force anything, you know. Yeah. You want to step out real quick, ma'am? I'll talk to you over here. Wait for me. You don't have any weapons on you or anything, right? >> No. >> Let me see your pockets. I just checked. >> Yeah. >> All right, come over here with your wand. So how did that happen? >> Well, I was trying to escape the machete and I couldn't get up and I backed up to try to get a better >> So you started over here. You hooked up this trailer? >> Mhm. >> Then it comes to this over here. >> Yeah. >> Where did you go with it? >> Try to come down this way. >> Okay, so how far did you get? >> I mean not even I >> You moved it, right? With your car? >> I don't did I don't even know if I did move it cuz they pulled up immediately. >> Okay. So, they pull up, I thought you met them over here and they stood here with the machetes. >> They did. We I walked over here. >> So, before you drove out, you walked or you drove it? >> I had the trailer on it and then I stopped pulling it trying to pull it because I saw them, >> Okay. >> right? >> Uh-huh. >> And tried to walk up here and they had the machetes, so I walked back to my truck >> Uh-huh. >> and tried to leave >> Mhm. >> and I tried to go >> blocked your way? >> Yeah, and I tried to go around them and they blocked the way, so I tried to escape a different way. >> around on this narrow road? >> I was just trying to escape. >> No, I know that, but how did you try to go around on the narrow road? >> Um it looked like the bushes were soft enough. >> Okay, so you drove into the bushes trying to go around? >> Like a tiny bit, yeah. Cuz at first they weren't they were kind of off to the side of not fully blocking like >> Uh-huh. >> diagonal. >> Okay. >> But >> And then what happened? You couldn't get around, so what did you do? >> I backed up this way and saw that there was a trail there. A foot path, so when people have been walking in that the fence is down there. So, I tried to leave that way. >> So, you drove that way? >> Mhm. >> Did you have crashing nothing? >> Probably. >> Okay. Were you trying to get up that hill? It looks like someone was trying to get up that hill by the fence. >> Yeah, yeah. >> And you couldn't or >> Yeah, cuz it was scary. >> Okay. What was so scary about it? Where were they at when you were trying to drive this way? >> They were They had pulled up and were waiting. >> So, they were waiting where? Like where their car was at or in the back? >> Maybe further back, I don't know, but I couldn't leave and I felt unsafe because they both had >> But can you see that you were trying to steal their trailer and they're trying to call the cops and keep you? >> I mean, I could understand that. I tried to speak to their the owner, >> Uh-huh. >> right? Was that who it was? And was like, "This is a mistake. I didn't mean to do any of this." >> Mhm. >> And tried [clears throat] to, you know, do something cuz it was just a mistake. >> Oh. Were you going to call us when you left or what? >> Probably, yeah. I mean, that's pretty scary. >> Okay. How many times do you think you hit that thing? >> The box? >> Yeah. >> Once? >> Uh-huh. All right. So, you Come show me where you Where you tried to leave out. I'm just trying I'm trying to get I'm trying to Come this way. What? >> You went around this >> Yeah, you can go around this way to here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Show me where you How you hit this. >> It was one time when I was coming to go up and then I went >> So, did you hit with the back of your car or the front of your car? Okay. So, you tried to go up, you slide down the hill, and then you hit it coming back? >> Yeah. >> And then what happened? How did you get back around it? >> Then we went around it, I guess. >> How many times did you try to go up and down? >> I I don't know. A few times, yeah. >> A few? More than one? >> More than one, for sure. >> Oh. >> Because >> And then once you couldn't do that, you just drove and parked there? >> Yep. >> Okay. And then you waited for law enforcement to get here? >> Mhm. >> How did you come in contact with CHP? >> They came through the freeway. >> Oh. They didn't They meet you up here or anything? >> I think I I think I heard them up here, but I didn't see them until they >> Did you run when you saw them or anything? >> On foot? >> Yeah. >> Oh, no. No. >> Did someone run at Casey or >> The only reason why I would run I didn't I didn't think I would I would run if there was a bear. >> Oh. So, when did the guy run? >> Um >> Your passenger? >> Before CHP? >> So, between you trying to get up the hill and CHP arriving? >> And then they chased them. Wherever they went. I don't know if they came back. >> a little bit anymore. >> But then you guys were just sitting in the car waiting for CHP, right? >> There was nothing we could do. We couldn't leave. >> Oh. >> We could get out of the car. >> But they weren't attacking you or anything, right? They weren't like They were just They didn't swing the machetes at you or try to like stab you or anything like that, right? >> They were incredibly upset, understandably so. >> Uh-huh. >> And I don't know if they were going to or >> They were like actively trying to stab you through the window or trying to get to you. They were just holding machetes trying to keep you at bay, walking towards you? >> I guess. Yeah, but that's still scary. >> I know it's scary, but it's not like, you know what I mean? They're not trying to kill you or anything. That's what I'm trying to get at. Uh, why don't you go have a seat back in your car real quick? >> How well do you know him? >> I've known him for like a few weeks. >> Okay. How do you know him? >> I guess >> I guess so. >> Yeah. >> Um What's this? >> No. We know. >> You do not? Do you have any way to contact him? >> I don't know. >> No? >> I don't know if I have his >> The property owners had the legal right to detain the subject under penal code section 837, California citizens arrest statute, which allows a private person to arrest another for a felony committed in their presence. However, brandishing machetes during that detention is independently chargeable under penal code section 417, which prohibits exhibiting a deadly weapon in a threatening manner, regardless of the target's conduct. Being the victim of a theft does not authorize the use of threatening force. The arrest was supported by probable cause under the totality of circumstances standard established in Illinois versus Gates, 1983. Independent facts converged, the trailer was moved, property damage was documented, the subject was on scene, and her corroborating story collapsed under first scrutiny. The officer communicated both charged and vandalism clearly at the moment of arrest, consistent with the objective reasonableness standard under Graham versus Connor, 1989. >> So, that phone number you gave me for Travis came back to Jesse James. Yeah. >> Yes, there was a Travis that answered it. It wasn't Jesse. I know Jesse's voice. >> Well, that phone number came back to a voicemail with Jessie James. That's why I'm trying to figure out what's going on with that. >> I am super sorry about all this. I know that doesn't change anything, but >> Well, I'm just trying to clarify like who told us to come get this cuz no one's You gave me the name of Travis and Jessie called, you know? Comes back to a Jessie. It doesn't even make any sense. >> I get that. But, that's who I talked to on the phone earlier. And that's >> What's that? >> I was leaving then? >> Just so we can talk for a moment. >> Okay. >> The investigating officer receives a B+. Evidence gathering was methodical. Legal analysis under pressure was sound, and authority was applied proportionately throughout. Minor deductions apply. Miranda advisement was not formally completed once the arrest decision was made, and the property owner's potential Section 417 exposure was identified verbally, but not formally actioned. The subject receives a C. She may have been deceived, but her escape behavior created independent felony exposure that a genuinely innocent person would have had little reason to generate. The corroborating evidence she claimed existed was inaccessible. The phone number she provided did not match the identity she named, and her companion, who carried three outstanding warrants across three states, fled immediately upon law enforcement arrival. >> So, hold on. Sorry. >> Can you turn around and put your hands behind your back for me? So, you're being arrested, okay? What? Yeah, for stealing that trailer and moving it. You were. And then you tried to leave and you damaged like tens of thousands of dollars worth of stuff over here, so that's vandalism. So, all right? So, your story doesn't make any sense. >> So, we're just going to We're just going to take her? >> Yep. >> I don't know. >> We'll see if you can take the car off there. >> Or your trailer. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> The property owners receive a C+. Calling law enforcement and holding their position pending arrival was lawful under Section 837. Using machetes to enforce that detention was not. Legal detention does not require and does not authorize threatening force. Their method created independent criminal exposure that officers had grounds to pursue. First lesson, under California law, returning stolen does not undo a theft charge. The offense is complete at the moment of taking with intent to deprive. Subsequent return is a mitigating factor at sentencing, not a defense to the charge itself. Second lesson, a citizen's arrest is a legal right, but the method of enforcing it must itself remain lawful. Brandishing a weapon during a detention that is otherwise justified creates new criminal exposure for the detaining party, regardless of what the detainee has done. Third lesson, in any defense built on a third-party hiring claim, the absence of digital corroboration is fatal at the field level. Facebook messages, call logs, and payment records are the difference between a viable defense and an arrest. If the job is real, the proof must be accessible. Fourth lesson, consciousness of guilt matters. A companion who flees on foot the moment law enforcement arrives is not a neutral fact. Investigators and prosecutors will treat that flight as evidence bearing on the subject's own knowledge and intent. 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