NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Chino Hills, CA, June 24, 2026 — Two men have been arrested in connection with a burglary at a prominent Hindu temple in Southern California, authorities announced.
Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department arrested David Sanchez, 48, and Joseph Hernandez, 32, both residents of Chino Hills, following a burglary earlier this month at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills.
According to authorities, the suspects are accused of entering the temple property and stealing items from the premises. During the investigation, detectives executed search warrants and recovered property believed to have been taken from the temple.
Both men were booked on burglary-related charges. Authorities said additional charges include conspiracy and weapons offenses. One of the suspects was allegedly found in possession of a firearm with an altered or removed serial number.
Investigators have not released details about the items that were stolen, nor have they disclosed the value of the recovered property.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills is one of the largest Hindu temples in North America and serves as a major religious and cultural center for the Hindu community across Southern California. The temple attracts thousands of worshippers and visitors each year.
The arrests come more than a year after the temple was targeted in a separate incident involving anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti. The 2025 vandalism was investigated as a hate crime and drew widespread condemnation from community leaders and elected officials.
Authorities have not indicated that the recent burglary was motivated by religious bias, and investigators have not announced any connection between the burglary and the earlier vandalism case.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Background
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is part of the worldwide BAPS Swaminarayan organization, which operates temples and community centers across the United States and around the world. The Chino Hills temple is widely regarded as one of the most prominent Hindu landmarks in the western United States and serves devotees from across California and neighboring states.
Cover photo courtesy: BAPS-Chino Hills.
