Sheriff: Man arrested in California mountains for stealing a snow plow in an effort to make money by clearing roads

A 35-year-old San Dimas man wanted to pull in a little extra cash by plowing roads in Big Bear Lake after the Blizzard of ’23, but the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said his initiative went too far because the entrepreneur stole a snow plow from the city to carry out his plan.

The city reported the theft on March 4. The same day, deputies using GPS tracking found the man sitting in the snow plow on Moonridge Road, on the east end of town near the motel where he was staying, the department said on Thursday, March 9.

Deputies determined that the man had a warrant out for his arrest for knowingly receiving a stolen vehicle. Additionally, hotel employees told deputies that they discovered two rifles and ammunition in his room after he failed to check out. The rifles turned out to be illegal, a news release said. And deputies then found a gun in the man’s car, the release said.

He was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, where bail was set at $60,000.

The day appeared to be a total loss for the man.

“We do not have any reports that anyone actually paid him for said service,” said Gloria Huerta, a sheriff’s spokeswoman.