Santa Nella, CA (December 3, 2025) — The Merced County Sheriff’s Office recovered stolen movie-set lighting equipment valued between $35,000 and $50,000 following a vehicle burglary near Highway 33 in Santa Nella.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Casas took a report of a burglary involving a semi-truck in the 12300 block of Highway 33. The victim reported that specialized lights belonging to a movie production were stolen. Deputy Casas, working alongside the Detective Bureau, developed investigative leads on possible locations of the stolen property.
At approximately 9 p.m., detectives and deputies served two search warrants, one at a residence near Henry Miller Avenue and Highway 33, and a second at a home in the Santa Nella trailer park. Authorities reported locating multiple stolen items tied to other cases at both addresses. The movie lighting equipment was found inside the residence in the trailer park.
A suspect, identified as Aaron Avila, 37, of Santa Nella, was arrested and booked into the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Jail on allegations of possession of stolen property. The investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Darren Stevens at (209) 385-7472.
