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Burglars steal safe from Ace Hardware in Murieta Plaza
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Photo by Wendy Smith
Thieves smashed this glass door of Ace Hardware in Rancho Murieta and stole the safe from the office in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 18. Video surveillance shows three men were involved in the crime.
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By Wendy Smith
River Valley Times Staff
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In the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 18, two burglars broke into the Ace Hardware store at Murieta Plaza in Rancho Murieta taking the safe.
RM Community Services District Security Dept. received a call at 1:45 a.m. through dispatch at the South Gate. The call came from an alarm company in regards to an audible alarm coming from Ace Hardware.
According to RMCSD Security Chief Greg Remson, the dept. responded to the call to find the glass door of the business smashed and then notified the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department.
“Officer Tomkins parked in front of the store and kept surveillance on the front door until the SSD could arrive. No one went in or out,” said Remson.
SSD officers checked the business upon their arrival, and no suspects were found. However, the SSD found that the safe was missing from the office. The owners of Ace Hardware were able to provide the SSD crime scene investigators with surveillance tapes, according to Remson.
The tapes show that a large car, or possibly a small SUV, first drove around the back of the store before stopping in front. The car had three passengers. The driver stayed inside the car and two black adult males exited the vehicle. One of those males threw a rock at the glass door, smashing it.
According to Remson, the tapes reveal that the suspects first checked the cash registers, which are emptied at the close of business each night. After finding nothing, they proceeded to the office and broke down the door. “They ransacked the file cabinets and drawers, and then they picked up the safe and carried it out the door,” said Remson. The video shows the vehicle departing, but it could not be determined from the tapes which direction the vehicle traveled.
According to SSD Officer Steve Goins, the crime scene investigation team checked for fingerprints as well as reviewing the security tapes provided by the store. “The tapes were clear for surveillance video, and our investigators will continue processing the recordings for added clarity as well as looking into the fingerprints,” Goins said.
He added that the goal is to identify the suspects and the vehicle that was used in the incident. As of press time, the investigation is ongoing.
According to FBI statistics, it is not unusual for crime to increase during the holiday season. With stores often carrying more currency during this period, there is a higher incentive for potential break-ins. Officials warn that thieves may also target individuals or vehicles loaded with holiday packages.
Despite the setback, Ace Hardware was open for business at Murieta Plaza on Thursday, Dec. 18, and the glass door was repaired by Friday, Dec. 20. Anyone with information about the incident should call the SSD at 916-687-8774.
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