Man Suspected of Stealing Property Worth $20,000

WILDOMAR - A man suspected of stealing about $20,000 worth of tools and other hardware during a break-in at a Wildomar business was being held today on $5,000 bail.

Bryce Howard Melvin, 41, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion of felony burglary and receiving stolen property in connection with a break-in last month at a store in the 34800 block of Frederick Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Melvin was arrested Wednesday night following a weeklong investigation, said sheriff's Sgt. David Cardoza. Prosecutors are reviewing the case, and charges could be filed today.

According to Cardoza, the Sept. 25 burglary happened just before midnight and involved two or more suspects.

Cardoza said surveillance video captured images of a dark-colored Ford Crown Victoria leaving the location a short time after a burglar alarm was triggered.

Three days later, a deputy on patrol in Wildomar stopped a similar- looking vehicle and saw tools inside the car that matched the ones reported stolen during the break-in, according to the sergeant.

He said sheriff's investigators obtained and executed search warrants at a storage unit belonging to Melvin in the 31900 block of Corydon Road, as well as his mobile home at 21601 Canyon Drive.

Deputies discovered evidence allegedly linking the suspect to the burglary at both locations, Cardoza said.

Melvin is being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.