Photo caption: Sgt. Steve Harbottle, the new supervisor of the Lucerne Valley Substation, answered questions during last week’s meeting of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association. Peter Day / The Leader
By Peter Day
Leader Editor
While many factors may contribute to an influx of property crimes, members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are working diligently to arrest perpetrators, according to the new supervisor of the Lucerne Valley Substation.
“Our deputies have been very good,” said Sgt. Steve Harbottle at last Tuesday’s meeting of Lucerne Valley Economic
Development Association. “They’ve been putting a lot of property theft guys in jail.”
Some of the thefts have included foothill-area cabins, and thieves occasionally use off-road vehicles to getaway with stolen property, he said.
During a question-and-answer portion of Sgt. Harbottle’s presentation, a local estate agent said thieves broke into a client’s home while they were away and took about $50,000 of property. The woman said “there should be a little more detective work” following such crimes.
“We try to be as thorough as we can be,” Sgt. Harbottle answered.
Previously, Sgt. Harbottle served in Lucerne Valley for eight months in 2011. Sgt. Wendell Anderson followed Sgt. Harbottle, serving for about a year and a half from August of 2011 to March of 2013. Sgt. Kevin Jaquez served prior to Sgt. Harbottle’s first stint in 2010.
“There’s been a lot of retirement and a lot of movement within our department,” Sgt. Harbottle said.
Harbottle, 46, has lived in Apple Valley for about 20 years and worked patrol in Lucerne Valley in the 1990’s.
Sgt. Harbottle supervises a team that includes one sergeant, one detective and six deputies. The team is responsible for more than 900 miles of residential areas, farming, ranching and commercial businesses. The Lucerne Valley Substation oversees Lucerne Valley and unincorporated areas of east Apple Valley.