Trio Arrested in French Valley Home Break-In

Three were arrested and $30,000 in goods recovered in an alleged residential burglary in French Valley, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies responded to the 37000 block of Avena Trail in French Valley at 10:14 p.m. Sunday when the homeowners returned from an evening out to find their home burglarized, said sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald.

"The deputies developed information during their investigation that a family member may have been involved with the burglary," McDonald said.

"They followed up on the information provided and were able to recover about $30,000 worth of cash, jewelry, electronics and other items that were taken during the burglary."

Three suspects in the crime were arrested: John Morales, 20, of French Valley, Robert Schmidt, 20, of Calimesa, and Chelsie Mascaro, 22, of Calimesa.

Morales and Schmidt were arrested on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, and Mascaro was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of stolen property. All are felonies.

Mascaro and Schmidt posted $25,000 bail and were released from Southwest Detention Center. Morales remained jailed as of Tuesday, according to jail records.