Suspects Arrested In Children's Playhouse, School Supplies Thefts: Police

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Two men suspected of stealing a children's playhouse and classroom supplies from a Santa Rosa elementary school earlier this week have been arrested, police said Thursday.

On Sunday, officers were called to Matanzas Elementary School at 1687 Yulupa Ave. after a security guard reported two suspects on the property carrying a small appliance. The suspects, later identified as 23-year-old Samuel Nielsen and 24-year-old David Acuna Mora, dropped the item and fled after being confronted.

Although police were not able to confirm initially that anything was stolen, school staff on Tuesday reported that multiple classrooms had been burglarized.

More than $2,000 worth of classroom property, including tablets, a small plastic playhouse, clothing, and other school supplies were allegedly stolen.

Surveillance footage captured the suspects and their vehicle, and once the images were shared within the police department, officers and detectives recognized the suspects.

On Thursday, detectives conducted surveillance at the suspects' home in the 1200 block of Grand Avenue. The pair were detained during a traffic stop after leaving the home together.

A search warrant was served at the home that afternoon and detectives recovered the stolen children's playhouse. They also found a methamphetamine smoking pipe that allegedly belonged to another resident.

Additional searches of nearby storm drains led to the recovery of two stolen tablets, police allege.
The suspects were booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and conspiracy. Police said they will be working with school officials to return the stolen property.

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