MV men arrested in connection with 36 burglaries spanning 3 counties
MORENO VALLEY — Authorities announced today the arrest of two Moreno Valley men they say were responsible for a crime spree that targeted a specific chain of therapeutic massage businesses across three counties; including Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino. In all, thirty-six Massage Envy locations were burglarized prior to the arrest of the two alleged suspects.
The men, later identified as Joshua Cornelius Monk, 24, and Marc Isaac Wideman, 30, were arrested by members of Moreno Valley PD’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team, following a lengthy investigation that included “thorough investigation” as well as undercover surveillance at a Moreno Valley Massage Envy.
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The arrests made by RBST deputies ended the men’s alleged multi-county, multi-jurisdictional crime spree and Moreno Valley PD Cpt. David Kurylowicz later praised his deputies’ efforts telling RCNS, “The officers assigned to these teams are true professionals. They are amazing.”
“These guys prove every day that they truly care about their work and the community they work for,” Kurylowicz continued. “Their efforts impact the quality of life for the entire city.”
Moreno Valley PD’s RBST began investigating the burglaries Aug. 30. As their investigation was continuing, RBST members learned three dozen Massage Envy locations had been targeted and burglarized, Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeremy Harding explained after Monk and Wideman’s arrests.
As part of their investigation, RBST deputies began a surveillance operation, which included overnight surveillance of a Massage Envy at the Stoneridge Towne Centre, on the 27000 block of Eucalyptus Ave.
On Oct. 10, at about 12:30 a.m., RBST members arrested Monk and Wideman after the two men allegedly burglarized the Massage Envy that was under surveillance.
Officials later served search warrants at a Moreno Valley residence as well as a vehicle in Moreno Valley. The search warrants “produced evidence further linking the suspects to the crimes,” said Harding.
MVPD Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team deputies arrested Joshua Monk, 24, and Marc Wideman, 30, ending a lengthy crime spree that included 36 businesses spanning three counties.
Monk was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of two counts of criminal conspiracy, three counts of second degree burglary, thirteen counts of receiving stolen property, and driving with a suspended license. He remains in custody on $500,000 bail.
Wideman, who is on Post Release Community Supervision, was booked into RPDC on suspicion of two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of second degree burglary, and violation of his PRCS probation. He remains in custody and is being held without bail.
Anyone with information related to this ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Rivera of Moreno Valley PD’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team at the at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV182420037 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.