MORENO VALLEY: Man arrested, accused of burglarizing 5 fire stations and residence
MORENO VALLEY — Officials say they have arrested a man they allege was responsible for a series of residential and fire station burglaries throughout Moreno Valley.
Hector Velazquez was arrested, charged with burglarizing a residence and five fire stations throughout Moreno Valley. RSO booking photo
The man, identified by officials as Hector Daniel Velazquez, 28, of Moreno Valley, was arrested in the area of Canyon Springs Parkway and Day Street and was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of six counts of first degree burglary.
The multiple burglary investigations began in October, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Jeremy Harding explained in a written press release after Velazquez’ arrest.
Deputies from the Moreno Valley PD’s Special Enforcement Team and Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team investigated at least six burglaries, five of which happened at Riverside County/Cal Fire Stations throughout the city of Moreno Valley.
“During these burglaries, the suspect stole multiple items including electronic devices, uniforms and personal items,” said Harding.
While investigating a Nov. 14 residential burglary that happened on the 24000 block of Dunlavy Court in Moreno Valley, between Hubbard and Indian Streets, SET members determined more than $4000 worth of property was stolen.
Deputies also “discovered the suspect in this case was possibly the same suspect involved in the Fire Station burglaries,” Harding explained.
As their investigation continued, SET members responded to a home on the same block as the residential burglary, at which time they “located stolen items from the residential burglary on Dunlavy Court, and items from all five Fire Stations,” said Harding. “Additional evidence was located linking the suspect to the crimes.”
The stolen items were collected, cataloged and later returned to the victims.
An online jail records search revealed Velazquez remains in custody and is being held on $210,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall Of Justice, Nov. 17.
Anyone with information related to this case and investigation is encouraged to contact the Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team at the Moreno Valley Police Station by calling (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV173180203 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 27 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 14 grandchildren.