Mojave Firearms Arrest-
On January 11, 2026, Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to the Mojave substation responded to a burglary investigation in the 14000 block of United Street in Mojave. During the investigation, deputies learned approximately $10,000 worth of ammunition, two firearms, and property belonging to a firearms instructor school were stolen.
On January 20, 2026, Mojave and Boron deputies located and eventually arrested a wanted subject (Trent Vangelder) in the Boron area who is a convicted felon and had active warrants. Vangelder also has multiple prior arrests for possession of stolen property and firearms possession. During the incident, deputies located live ammunition, property and documentation belonging to the victims of the same burglary in Mojave on January 11, 2026 inside Vangelder's travel trailer.
Additionally, two unrelated firearms, soft body armor, and a pepper ball launcher were located in the same trailer. Vangelder was booked into the Mojave Substation jail for violation of California Penal Code 29800(a)(1), felon in possession of a firearm, 30305(a)(1), felon in possession of ammunition, 22810(a) felon in possession of tear gas, 31360(a), felon in possession of body armor, 496(a), possession of stolen property and 148(a)(1) resisting arrest