Deputy arrests suspect in string of commercial burglaries in Temecula and Murrieta

TEMECULA (Wire Service) - A man wanted in connection with a string of commercial burglaries in Temecula and Murrietta was spotted by a patrol deputy, chased and arrested, a sheriff's sergeant said today.

Christopher Steven Mead, 53, who was described as a transient, was spotted in his vehicle and pulled over by a deputy Saturday, Sept. 22 at Temecula Parkway and Margarita Road, a Riverside County sheriff's sergeant said.

Mead ran and then hid behind a trash dumpster, but was spotted and arrested, the sergeant added.

Mead is suspected of burglarizing six businesses in Temecula, including two were he left clues, the sergeant said. Mead is also tied to several commercial burglaries in Murrieta.

In addition to two new counts of burglary, Mead was booked for older burglary warrants from Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and a parole warrant.