RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - A patrol officer likely interrupted a burglary at a Rancho Murieta business last month, while a separate firecracker vandalism incident nearly caused a crash, according to Security Sgt. Brandon Arino.

Arino delivered the report during the April 2 meeting of the Rancho Murieta Community Services District Security Committee, where he outlined significant incidents from March.

The Security Committee includes two board members – Director Linda Butler and Board President John Merchant – along with Security Sgt. Brandon Arino, Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder and other staff. The committee reviews security issues in depth and provides findings and recommendations to the full board.

The burglary was discovered around 5 a.m. March 22 at the Murieta Nail Lounge in the Murieta Plaza.

A patrol officer noticed a U-Haul truck parked outside the business and, upon closer inspection, found the front glass door shattered. Inside, there were clear signs of forced entry, including damage to an ATM machine near the entrance and tampering with the cash register.

The U-Haul showed signs of being stolen, with its driver-side door lock tampered with, and had been backed up toward the storefront, suggesting it may have been intended to haul away equipment or cash.

The business owner told security that his doorbell camera system showed the break-in occurring at approximately 4:48 a.m., capturing two suspects wearing dark hooded sweatshirts and masks using a crowbar to force entry. However, the footage could not be retrieved.

Arino told the committee he believes the suspects fled when the patrol officer drove through the area.

“I think one of my guys was patrolling that area, and I think he might have actually scared those people away,” Arino said. “They weren’t in the business when he showed up… they didn’t take the ATM, and they didn’t take the cash register.”

Arino also expressed concern about the delay in law enforcement response. Although the burglary was discovered around 5 a.m., the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office did not arrive until after 8 a.m.

“It’s a shame that when you call somebody that they’re not coming until after 8 a.m. when this thing happened at 5,” he said, noting the incident was likely considered a “cold crime” by the time it was reported.

Arino also discussed a vandalism incident reported by Rancho Murieta resident John Petersen, who first described the situation in a March 26 Nextdoor post and later shared it with the security department, where it was reviewed along with other March incidents.

Petersen said his vehicle, which is normally kept in the garage, had been left outside for about a week during spring break. 

During that time, someone placed firecrackers inside the braking system.

When he later drove to work on Dillard Road, the firecrackers detonated while the vehicle was in motion.

Because he was driving an electric vehicle, Petersen said his first thought was that something in the car itself had malfunctioned or exploded. A motorist behind him had a similar reaction, later telling Petersen he thought the vehicle had blown up. Petersen was able to maintain control and avoid a crash, but he said the situation could easily have ended differently.

A subsequent inspection found firecracker debris lodged in the braking system, requiring $250 in repairs.

“If this was meant as a prank, I want to be very clear: This is extremely dangerous and not harmless fun,” Petersen wrote. “This could have easily resulted in a serious crash or cost someone their life.”

Arino echoed those concerns during the meeting.

“It’s very possible that when this guy was driving… he could have lost control and lost his life, or somebody else,” he said.

He also urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s activities.

“Know what your kids are doing at all times… be nosy every once in a while,” he said. “Simple stuff like that would prevent this from happening.”

Arino’s report also included two vehicle-related incidents on and near Jackson Highway.

On Feb. 27 at about 7:14 p.m., a Rancho Murieta resident driving a golf cart attempted to cross Jackson Highway at Murieta Drive toward nearby businesses. The golf cart entered the intersection and was struck by a van traveling westbound.

The driver sustained a head injury with visible bleeding. Security personnel immediately called 911, and emergency medical responders transported the injured resident to a hospital. Patrol remained on scene to assist with traffic and emergency response.

In a second incident shortly after midnight on March 20, security responded to a report of a possible crash near the county bridge on Jackson Highway. Patrol located a heavily damaged silver Honda Accord on the golf course near Hole 18, beyond a broken fence line.

The driver, a 16-year-old resident, was found outside the vehicle and reported no injuries. He told patrol he lost control of the car, overcorrected and drove through the fence, sending the vehicle onto the golf course. 

The incident did not appear on the March 20 log sheet. Details were not made public until Sgt. Brandon Arino included the crash in his March “Incidents of Note.”

The California Highway Patrol responded, and the Rancho Murieta Association was notified of the property damage. Security remained on scene until the situation was stabilized.

Arino said the incidents demonstrate both the value of patrol visibility and the importance of community awareness.

In the burglary case, he said, a patrol officer’s presence may have been enough to stop a crime in progress. 

In the vandalism case, what may have been intended as a prank created a life-threatening situation. “Acts like that aren’t harmless,” Arino said. “They can cost someone their life.”