Retired Navy Chief arrested in Southwest Riverside County for theft of multiple items

On April 15, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Border Division’s Investigative Services Unit, in a joint operation with Commander Navy Region Southwest Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS), received information of a stolen Navy trailer that was possibly located at the Sun City residence of John Johnston, 50, a retired Chief of the Navy.

The three agencies conducted a search warrant of the premises and located a total of three stolen trailers, an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), two LED TV’s, a 13-foot long metal tool storage, multiple power tools, and several other stolen items accumulating an approximate value of one hundred thousand dollars.

Through the investigation, it was determined that Johnston had stolen all of the items from the United States Navy. Johnston was subsequently arrested in Riverside County and charged with the following: 487 P.C. – Grand Theft, 496 (a) P.C. – Possession of Stolen Property, and 10851 (a) V.C. – Vehicle Theft.

The CHP serves as the leader for statewide vehicle theft prevention and recovery efforts.

Anyone can provide an anonymous tip regarding auto theft related activity by calling 1-800-TELL-CHP (24/7). The 1-800-TELL-CHP phone number was originally established for the reporting of vehicle and cargo theft. For more information visit WWW.CHP.CA.GOV .