DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT IN SERIES OF COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES

Published: 08/24/2023

DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT IN SERIES OF COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES

 

RIVERSIDE, CA – Recently on July 19^th and 20^th, four local businesses in the Mission Grove and Orangecrest neighborhoods of Riverside were burglarized in the early morning hours by what appeared to be the same suspect.  The break-ins occurred at Gra Pow Restaurant, Coldstone Creamery, Men’s Club Barbershop, and Hollywood Threading after the suspect gained entry through the ceilings at all four businesses and stole tens of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry.

 

Detectives with our Property Crimes Unit immediately began investigating and were able to develop information into the identity of their suspect as a homeless man who frequented the city of Colton.  On Wednesday, August 16^th, an observant Colton Police Officer located the suspect’s vehicle at a local motel in their city and contacted our Property Crimes Unit.  Detectives obtained a search warrant, and with assistance from our Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team, found the suspect in the motel parking lot and conducted a search of his motel room.

 

Several evidence items linking the suspect to these burglaries were seized along with suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and a large amount of money.  37-year-old Michael Scott Sturm was arrested and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on four counts of commercial burglary, grand theft, and possession of suspected heroin and methamphetamine for purposes of sales.  He is currently being held on $120,000 bail.

Detectives with the Rialto Police Department learned of this investigation, and based on information provided by our detectives, were able to link Mr. Sturm to several burglaries that occurred in their city.

 

The jewelry items below (attached) were stolen during the burglary at Hollywood Threading and have not been recovered.  They are unique in nature and detectives are hoping someone may have information as to their whereabouts.

 

These investigations are still ongoing as detectives are working to determine if the suspect is responsible for others in Riverside and locate additional stolen property.  Anyone with additional information should contact Property Crimes Detective Vanessa Castillo at (951) 826-5376 or [email protected].

 

Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected], or download and use the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by utilizing the “Send a Message” feature.  Our app can be downloaded at: 

 

iOS Atlas 1 App:   https://apps.apple.com/us/app/atlas-1/id1509528933

Android Atlas 1 App:   https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.atlasone