Tehachapi Police Department

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Press Release
Date: 4/21/2026
Suspect Arrested in relation to Tehachapi Commercial Burglaries
Suspect: Earl Gregory Cox, 28-years-old, resident of Lancaster
On the night of February 20th, 2026, five restaurants in the City of Tehachapi were burglarized by three suspects. During the burglaries $1,300 in cash was stolen and thousands of dollars in damage was done. Additionally, the same suspect committed commercial burglaries to multiple businesses in the unincorporated county area of Tehachapi (Golden Hills).
Immediately, Officers and Detectives from the Tehachapi Police Department began working to identify the suspects. Utilizing Department resources Detectives were able to identify a vehicle and one of the suspects involved. Based on this information, Detectives authored a warrant for Earl Gregory Cox, a 28-year-old resident of Lancaster, CA.
On Wednesday March 4th, 2026, Tehachapi Police Departments Detectives were notified, by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Detectives, that they had apprehended Mr. Cox. Mr. Cox was apprehended in relation to the burglaries in the City of Tehachapi as well as multiple locations in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. Mr. Cox was booked into custody at the San Bernadino County Jail and charged with multiple counts of commercial burglary and conspiracy.
On Thursday April 9th 2026, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office filed charges in three of our investigations (26MFA00332, 26MFA00333, 26MFA00340) charging Mr. Cox with burglary, conspiracy and vandalism. His bail is currently set at $300,000.
The Tehachapi Police Department is deeply committed to keeping our community safe and maintains strong working partnerships with our residents, visitors, business owners and surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Anyone with more information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Orozco or Sgt. Mike Adams at the Tehachapi Police Department (661-822-2222).
For media inquiries, please contact: Key Budge, Phone: 661-822-2200 x 119 [email protected]

Richard Standridge, Chief of Police