Reports of residential burglaries from the Sheriff’s Department show a recent decline from previous levels, and this continues through this week. Whether this is due to arrests and sentencing from an Aug. 20 weeklong crime sweep by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hemet Station personnel or by the growing number of Neighborhood Watch groups distributed though many Idyllwild and Pine Cove neighborhoods is not certain, but the decline is noteworthy.
Although residential burglaries show decline, there were two recent commercial burglaries — one at the Shell station, Monday night, Oct. 29, and another of an ATM outside of Café Aroma that same night. Sheriff’s deputies are examining evidence including surveillance videos from the Shell station.
The accompanying table details a multi-year buildup of residential burglaries.
In September, after 13 people had been arrested in the crime sweep, there was only one reported incident on Sept. 17. Through the first week in November, there have been none reported.
Hemet Station Special Investigations Supervisor Sgt. Wallace Clear cautioned residents about jumping to conclusions. “A lot of loose ends have been tied up [from the investigation],” said Clear. “It sounds like a lot has been taken care of but residents should not drop their guard. I think people in mountain areas know they’re vulnerable and it is important that they continue to keep their eyes open and report suspicious activity.”
Status of pleas and sentencing
Ron Kimmerle and Taylor Dravenstatt have a trial readiness conference scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 21, and a jury trial is tentatively set for Friday, Dec. 7. Kimmerle remains in custody; Arthur DeRoss pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, was given probation, but failed to show for a court date and a bench warrant is out for his rearrest; Jez Meyer pleaded guilty to felony burglary, was convicted and sentenced to two years in state prison with credit for 14 days; Daniel Plott was sentenced to a drug diversionary program and probation; Micah Galusha served a six day sentence and is out on probation; Cory Shea Haggerty was sentenced but federally released; Harry Dennis served a short sentence and was released; and Jill Sabine pleaded guilty to felony possession of controlled substances and was sentenced to a substance abuse program and probation.
