Alleged HUSD van thief arrested

A Hesperia man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a Hesperia Unified School District work van.

Anthony Chavira, 27, was arrested Monday evening on a charge of grand theft auto.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a call on the 17600 block of Main Street. There, a witness told them he had seen a suspect entering the unlocked van and its direction of travel.

A sheriff's department helicopter then located a vehicle matching the stolen van's description driving westbound on Highway 173, and followed the vehicle until patrol cars were in the area.

Deputy Mike Cleary pulled the vehicle over on Highway 138, a mile east of Interstate 15, and arrested Chavira, who was behind the wheel. At the time of his arrest, Chavira reportedly had a shaved key, or a bump key -- a common car theft tool -- in his possession.

Chavira was booked at Victor Valley Jail on charges of grand theft auto, possession of stolen property and making a key to operate a motor vehicle through means other than the normal duplicating process.

Beau Yarbrough can be reached at 956-7108 or at beau@hesperiastar.com.