A probationer suspected of perpetrating multiple burglaries in Home Gardens was out of custody Wednesday.
Joseph Rodriguez Garcia, 26, of Home Gardens was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside Tuesday on suspicion of burglary, vandalism and probation violations.
Rodriguez was released on his own recognizance hours later, possibly due to ongoing capacity constraints within the Riverside County correctional system.
An alleged associate of the suspect, 31-year-Christian Munoz of Moreno Valley, was also taken into custody Tuesday. However, there was no indication that he was booked into jail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Buelna, the men targeted “several large warehouses” in Home Gardens, breaking into them in May.
Detectives ultimately identified the suspects, relying on undisclosed evidence to confirm they were responsible for the burglaries, Buelna said.
Search warrants were obtained and served at a property in Home Gardens and two in Moreno Valley.
“Stolen property from the thefts were located at a residence in the 13000 block of Magnolia Avenue in Home Gardens, and in the 12500 block of Soft Wind Drive in Moreno Valley,” the sergeant said. “Two stolen vehicles were located at the Moreno Valley address.”
Other suspects have been linked to Garcia, and the investigation is ongoing, according to Buelna.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the sheriff’s Lake Mathews station at 951-272-5600.