Criminals Destroy $140K Of Imperial Irrigation District Equipment Near El Centro

Imperial Irrigation District is asking for help from the public to stop ongoing  vandalism at its remote telecommunications towers located in desert areas frequented by off-highway vehicles.

IID is offering  a $2,500 reward for information leading to prosecution of the criminals.

IID  reports several instances of trespassing and felony vandalism amounting to tens of thousands of dollars in damages to some of its telecommunications structures, specifically, two major incidents occurring Friday, November 15the  and Saturday November 16th, in the Superstition Mountain area west of El Centro.

Two suspects, who appear to be either teenagers or young adults, riding  dirt bikes, caused $140,000 in damages,  plus labor charges, when they broke through the protective fencing surrounding an IID telecommunications tower and smashed video cameras, damaged an air conditioner, a generator and several other technical components on Friday, November 15th.

The vandalism disrupts IID’s operations and the District’s ability to provide reliable power and communications services; further, all customers are affected by the costs of restoration.

IID teams responded to the damage of November 15th, and made  immediate repairs, only to be called back the following day as the same two suspects returned,  and caused more damage. 

Images of the suspects were caught on video before the cameras were destroyed. Images clearly show them dressed in red and gray off-road attire and riding a red dirt bike, and the other dressed in black and riding a blue dirt bike.

“Vandalism to IID’s infrastructure is very serious,” said IID Investigator Mike Beltran. “In addition to potentially causing power outages, tampering with electrical equipment can also result in death – so, we not only want to protect our power system, we also want to let people know that this kind of thing is extremely dangerous. Everyone needs to stay far away from power and telecommunications infrastructure and report any suspicious behavior.”

In addition to the damage to the tower facility at Superstition Mountain, a suspicious fire was reported in the area, though not at an IID facility. Also, a similar act of vandalism recently occurred at an IID Water Department monitoring station near the Salton Sea. The suspects in that case drove a four-wheel off-highway vehicle.

IID and local law enforcement wish to remind the public that this is the time of year when activity in the desert picks up, and encourages everyone to enjoy the desert, but do so in a safe manner.

Anyone who has information about these crimes or knowledge of who may be responsible, is encouraged to contact IID’s Claims and Investigations Section at 1-760-339-9168 or the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department at 1-442-265-2021 and reference incident #24-35669.

The Superstition Mountain OHV area is located approximately 17 miles west of El Centro.

Criminal on a dirt bike, causing damage to Imperial Irrigation District equipment near EL Centro CA Nov 15th and 16th 2024

Photo from Imperial Irrigation District Nov 21st 2024