Ronald Kimmerle in his booking photo. Courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
On Friday, April 27, Pine Cove resident Ronald Kimmerle, 49, was arrested at his residence in the 25000 block of Laurel Drive on suspicion of receiving stolen goods. A day later, he was released after posting bail ($500 on $5,000 bail).

The penal code section under which Kimmerle was charged can be either a felony or a misdemeanor based on the value of stolen goods received and the discretion of a grand jury or district attorney. If value is under $950, the charge can be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Hemet Station Special Investigations Supervisor Wallace Clear said that articles in Kimmerle’s possession are still being inventoried and he estimates the value will exceed $950. He also indicated the case was filed with the strongest evidence available at time of filing, but as additional items are inventoried the case and the charges are likely to grow.

No evidence exists at this time directly linking Kimmerle to any burglaries but that investigations continue, according to Clear. He added the stolen articles are unusual in their variety. Some, such as appliances, weapons and a pristine collection of sequenced $2 bills had obvious value. The presence of others such as an urn containing a deceased’s ashes with the deceased’s name on a plaque and a wedding dress seemed odd, as if taken indiscriminately.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department had conducted a warrant search of Kimmerle’s residence and several adjoining cabins on Thursday, April 26, in response to an investigation of a previous Pine Cove burglary as well as tips from the public regarding the particular stolen property.

Kimmerle was not at his residence at the time of the warrant search but returned the next day at which time deputies arrested him.

Clear said investigators were able to return some of the stolen property to rightful owners and will continue to return more as soon as they inventory all items and locate additional owners. “It appears that items in Kimmerle’s possession were from at least 6 to 8 burglaries in the Idyllwild area including the recent Pine Cove burglary of the home in the 52000 block of Sugar Pine Drive,” said Clear. “There was stolen property in each of the cabins searched [contiguous cabins to which Kimmerle had apparent access as caretaker or handyman, according to Clear].”

Anyone with any additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Robertson of the Hemet Station at (951) 791-3400. Clear said that information and tips from the community were invaluable in the investigation leading to the warrant search and Kimmerle’s arrest. He said his team and Hemet station had no control over Kimmerle’s bail release and that it was a court matter.

31 COMMENTS

    • And of course, dear Mr. Kimmerle, the angel that some people think he is, will work the system in his favor like he always has in the past. I feel for his dogs and the horse, for him, I feel nothing. And no, I do not put myself above him. I am just an individual that works hard for what I have. I don't bully people and scream at them until they are so scared that they just give up. If so so many of us feel this way about him, don't you think it's time we stand up and say "enough is enough"? Again, where is the owner of the cabins Mr. Kimmerle has taken over? He has a responsibility to this community to get rid of this, yes, "scum". Look up the definition in the dictionary. It's the exact description of Mr. Kimmerle.

    • I couldn't agree more Tori, I am completely disgusted in a system that allows the obvious and continous abuse of an animal (I and others have called Animal Control numerous times to report) THEN, when they get the chance to finally do something about it, they come up and pick up the dogs (thank god for that) but LEAVE the horse. Without loving caring people, he would have gone days without food and water. From now on, I will have myself armed and ready with my video phone, perhaps when they SEE the mistreatment and abuse that idiot inflicts on that beautiful animal they will do something about it before something terrible happens to him…

  1. "He also indicated the case was filed with the strongest evidence available at time of filing, but as additional items are inventoried the case and the charges are likely to grow." This is the best news I've heard since dead-beat Ronnie was released.

  2. it is highly possible that there are accomplices. For those that are into gardening, you already know, that when you find ONE maggot, there are usually more nearby. Such as the robber with the big footprint. They also have meth junkie girl friends, and drug dealers.

    My point is, removing only one maggot, does not restore balance to the health of your garden.

  3. As a person who has owned rental property for many years, I think it might be time to look up the suspect's address in county records, find the proper owner of the place he calls home, and contact the landlord about evicting him. A renter who has "laid waste" to a property has very few rights.

    As for the fate of the horse, there are many rescue organizations (such as Falcon Ridge in Valley Center, CA) who would gladly come and get him, heal him and find him a new home.

    • Finding a home for the horse isn't an issue, finding a LEGAL way to do it is. When Animal Control won't return calls, and basically ignors the obvious and evident abuse that has occured ever since he has had that animal is the problem.

  4. This man is an absolute DISGRACE to the beautiful town of Idyllwild. He has harassed people time and time again and should have much more charges on him than the simple ones he does. He has been caught doing hate crimes to people, he is abusive to his animals, he is on drugs and drunk almost every minute of the day, he is a thief, and it is just uncalled for. You'd also think that the police KNOW that they can't get up here very quickly and every time this scumbag does something, the cops are called but by the time they get here, Ronnie RUNS away. So when the police arrive, there is no way to make an arrest. There has been enough calls and enough evidence that should put him away and off this mountain! Make your mom proud Ronnie!!! WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE???

    • He is a disgrace (note my recent post) however the problem for us who live in Idyllwild is much larger. The town center area is a disgrace as well. It seems to be a magnet for every dead beat adult and youth in the community and they are on display (which is what they want) to intimidate residents and visitors. I have witnesses drug deals, public intoxication and panhandling not to mention the subtle intimidation brought on by these and other types or rude and disrespectful behavior. Why are there not laws about loitering, drinking in public and panhandling like there are in other places? This community needs a town council and a more active community patrol, not to mention a full-time law enforcement staff.

  5. RE: THE ANIMAL ABUSE: Why doesn't someone get in touch with the ASPCA–American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? If your local animal control is not doing anything, the ASPCA will!

    There is also the Humane Society and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), but the ASPCA was set up specifically to deal with cruelty to animals. And I think anyone in any locality could report this abuse; I am not from the area, but maybe I will give it a try myself!

  6. Can any body explain to me how exactly does any one get released on bail when arrested on a Friday several hours later ??? No one gets before a judge to have bail set that quickly that I have ever heard of. At the very least he should have been there until Monday or Tuesday. I smell a judicial contact and a rat. Frankly I am surprised no one else has brought this up.

    • Excellent point Kate…everyone around here that is sane, and not under the influence of drugs has "suspected" that he turned SNITCH, wonder if any of his suppliers and customers will be coherant long enough to put this together? and to add to the insult of this, he apparently got his dogs back. Guess someone on a "fixed" income (well…one that suppliments it by stealing and or in possession of hard working, honest and law abiding citizens peoperty) is able to fence it in order to pay the fees to to get thier animals back. It just gets worse and worse….

      • As I said in my earlier post, he will work the system like he always does and he already has if he in fact got his dogs back. He'll also work the system in his favor about the stolen property that was found in the cabins. He may not have a job, but he knows how to "work" the system. He's been doing it for years and will continue to do so unless the courts see right thru him when he goes on trial, or should I say, if he goes on trial.

  7. I recently purchased a home in Idyllwild and I am amazed by this series of events involving Mr. K. First, I appalled and surprised by number of home break-ins and burglaries I continue to read about in the Town Crier. Next, I amazed at the illegal activity and the number of "homeless" looking men and youth that I see hanging out in the area of the Post Office (and future library). And yes, you can add Mr. K to that list. Just yesterday I saw him sitting in front of Idyllwild Pizza (a popular family and children's restaurant) with his untethered horse nearby. He sat there with a smirk as large as his oversize cowboy hat. Also, nearby were the volunteers asking for other volunteers to help with the community playground. It was ironic that a few minutes later I saw Mr. K riding his horse (and drinking a beer) in the area of the playground. He proceeded to "park" his horse in this area and walk across to the Shell Station and buy yet another beer. How can this be? Is this the type of community we wish live in and present to others who visit? Pretty scary in my opinion. What are we going to do about it? Or better phrased, what can we do about it?

    • First, believe it or not, the problems are being addressed, but in the right way. It may seem as though nothing is being done, however this is not the case. Enough evidence must be gathered to make a conviction stick.
      Yes, there are a couple of homeless that hang out at the corner near the Library, but don't make the mistake of believing all the people "looking homless" at the Post Office are, they are most likely Pacific Crest Trail Hikers who have been on the trail for awhile. They come to the Post Office to pick up care packages from family, etc.
      Problems with vagrants are found in every community, homeless shelter's are full, and or do not accept individuals with substance abuse issues. The number in our community can be counted on one hand.
      We do not have much to offer teens, so yes, you will see them hanging out in town.
      As for our community, the positives out way the negatives.

  8. If we are all serious about getting rid of these intimidating people in the area this is something that we should start doing. We can't just keep posting how angry we are. We as residents of the area must show them that we are serious about the situation. If we don't, they'll just keep doing what they're doing.

    From the Sheriff's meeting:

    Citizen tips

    Administrative Sgt. James Wilson spoke about citizen crime reporting and prevention tips:

    Form a neighborhood watch group ([email protected] or (951) 791-3409).

    If interested in joining Mountain Community Patrol, call Sgt. Wilson. “There is a background process,” he said. “We’re very interested about it and who we allow as volunteers to have unfettered access to our station.”

  9. This is your community people, take charge! If you see him at the Pizza Co. tell the owners or manger to ask him to leave! If you see him on the Commuity Center site with his horse "parked" while he crosses the streetto buy a beer…call the police! This is YOUR community so take charge! I saw him this weekend at the Concert in the park and I had no problem calling hte police and making a report. Let's work as a community to see this man arrested and put in jail for the crimes he had done and is continuing to do!

    • I hear what you are saying only I am a new resident with little knowledge of how the "system" works up here. For example, I assumed that sitting in front of the Pizza place is not a crime nor is "parking" your horse in the playground area; is drinking and riding a crime? It could be animal abuse??? I am not sure who to call or where to call. Got numbers? I keep hearing about other "busts" but I do not see anything about them. In fact, two houses up from the school was busted a couple of weeks ago and what happened? Did it happen again and how is it that some residents know about these things and the rest of are in the dark? Isn't a drug bust anywhere near a school a serious felony? I am glad Mr. K was arrested again because I believe he is a "bully" who believes that he controls the "system" and all those around him. All I desire is a safer community to live in and I am willing to "walk my talk". When and where?

      • You just need to call the sheriff's dept. Thanks again to Lynette for finally saying "enough is enough". Her call to the sheriff's dept. will make a difference and will hopefully put this scum away for a long time. I do not put myself above him. He is the one that has put himself where he is, no one else did this to him. What goes around comes around, finally!!!!!!!

  10. In regards to the animal abuse, this California law total applies for what he is doing to the poor horse : http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stuscacalpenco
    Existing law provides, subject to exceptions, that every person who overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, cruelly beats, mutilates, or cruelly kills any animal, or causes or procures any animal to be so overdriven, overloaded, driven when overloaded, overworked, tortured, tormented, deprived of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter, or to be cruelly beaten, mutilated, or cruelly killed; and whoever, having the charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, subjects any animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon the animal, or in any manner abuses any animal, or fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather, or who drives, rides, or otherwise uses the animal when unfit for labor, is guilty of a crime punishable as a misdemeanor or as a felony, or alternatively as a misdemeanor or a felony and a fine of not more than $20,000. This is the penal code that needs to be reported.

  11. I live down the street from him unfortunately, and have called animal control and the Sheriff dept. I've been yelled at by Ron and know several other who were yelled at. We all need to call the Sheriff dept every time he does something stupid, so they know what's going on. I now have the Hemet substation # (951 659-3871) and Sheriff dispatch #(1-800-950-2444) programmed on my phone. ANY time I see him chewing someone out or do anything wrong, I plan to call the Sheriff dept. Don't hesitate to call ! Oh, btw, my neighbor told me Ron was pulled off his horse and got beat up after saying something rude to a woman in front of the Pine Cove Market. Did anyone witness that?

    • To PC Resident '12…….you are so right is saying that we must call anytime he does this. It's the only way we're going to get rid of him. He's been doing this for way too long and too many of us have been subjected to his insults and threats. I'm surprised he hasn't been beat up lots of times considering he's done this 100's of times. Let's hope he's in jail for a while so that we may live in peace.