Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Lancaster Man Arrested in String of Business Burglaries

LANCASTER — A Lancaster man has been arrested on suspicion of burglarizing 35 small businesses on and near Sierra Highway since he was released from jail barely a month ago after serving a sentence for burglary, authorities said.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies arrested Manfredo Ruiz, 31, at a motel on Sierra Highway, near where many of the burglaries have occurred since Sept. 16, Sgt. Richard Wood said. Ruiz, who is being held at Antelope Valley Jail in lieu of $35,000 bail, is scheduled to be arraigned today.

“There were several things in the motel room which connected him to the crimes, including rolls of coins and matchbooks with the names of the businesses on them,” Wood said.

Also arrested in the room were Rafael Cabral, 26, and Mario Torres, 28, both of Lancaster. Cabral was held on an unrelated warrant and on suspicion of possessing stolen property. Torres was held for a parole violation.

The string of burglaries occurred at night, Wood said, and the burglar usually broke a window to get in. He was interested exclusively in stealing money, even if it was change, and ignored more valuable items, Wood said.

One restaurant, Casa de Miguel at 44245 Sierra Highway, was hit about two weeks ago, said the business’s general manager, who identified herself only as Debbie.

“He broke open the cigarette machine and the candy and dart machines, but didn’t touch the liquor or food or stereo equipment,” she said. “But the thing that surprised me was that he seemed considerate. He could have left a mess, but he was real careful not to.”