Suspect in Santa Rosa Burglary Spree Behind Bars
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) - Santa Rosa police have arrested a man suspected of a commercial burglary spree in March and April that resulted in stolen flat-screen TVs, computers, wallets and other items.
Ryan Roberts, 20, a Santa Rosa-area transient, was arrested Wednesday in connection with at least five burglaries, including one that day at Empire College at 3035 Cleveland Ave., police said.
An evidence technician spotted him driving his blue Ford Explorer at about 5:30 p.m. near Stony Point Road and state Highway 12, police said.
The technician allegedly recognized him from surveillance video she had recovered earlier at the college.
Responding officers arrested him and allegedly found property from the burglary, as well as property from thefts in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and San Rafael, police said.
He is being held in Sonoma County Jail.
Police said Roberts has allegedly been tied through fingerprint and surveillance evidence to a March 16 burglary at La Cantera Racquet Club on Montgomery Drive; a March 19 burglary at the Lodge at Paulin Creek on Range Avenue; a March 23 burglary at Kmart on Cleveland Avenue, and an April 7 burglary at the LaserVue Eye Center on Mendocino Avenue.
He was allegedly working with other suspects in several cases, and police are working to identify the culprits.
Other stolen items included small electronics, office equipment, purses and checkbooks.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Detective Tim Steinbroner at (707) 543-3575.
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