Crime & Safety

2 Lake Elsinore Men Suspected in Burglary of Murrieta School Bus Yard

Johnathan Maddox and Jackson Christian, both of Lake Elsinore, were taken into custody early Wednesday following a police search near the Murrieta Valley Unified School District main offices.

Two Lake Elsinore men accused in an early-morning break-in at the bus yard at Murrieta Valley Unified School District's main office were behind bars Wednesday.

Murrieta police were dispatched at about 2:29 a.m. Wednesday to the district offices at 41870 McAlby Court based on a report of two unknown subjects seen on the grounds, said Murrieta police Sgt. Don Weller, in a news release.

"Further information received was that the subjects were seen taking items from the district vehicles," Weller said.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The men allegedly ran from officers, who were in the process of setting up a perimeter, the sergeant said.

Officers began to scour the area with the help of Murrieta police Cpl. Jay Elliot and his K9, Kazan, according to Weller.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The K9 team located and detained the suspects, whom Weller said were hiding in nearby brush.

While the scene was being investigated, officers detained the suspects, identified as Johnathon Maddox, 24, of Lake Elsinore and Jackson Christian, 18, also of Lake Elsinore.

"The officers' investigation revealed the subjects had loaded up several tools and miscellaneous items belonging to MVUSD onto an electric cart and were about to leave the area when officers arrived on scene," Weller said. 

Maddox and Christian were booked at Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of commercial burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Christian was additionally booked on suspicion of committing a crime while out on bail. He was being held on $15,000 bail.

Maddox was being held on $5,000 bail.

Both were due in court Friday.

An estimated $1,000 worth of equipment belonging to the district was recovered by officers, Weller said.

"It was also learned that this is the second time, in as many weeks, that the MVUSD Bus Lot had been a victim of theft from their vehicles during the night-time hours," Weller said.

Anyone with further information in the case was encouraged to phone the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615. Information may also be provided anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-Crime.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.