Healdsburg Jewelry Shop Burglary Suspect Had Warrants Across Nation, Jewelry Still Missing

HEALDSBURG, CA — A man wanted on more than half a dozen felony warrants across the United States was arrested one day after someone stole thousands of dollars in jewelry from a downtown Healdsburg store.

The burglary occurred Aug. 31, when a lone person entered the store, took the jewelry, and fled, according to Healdsburg Police.

Investigators believe the same person is linked to an attempted theft at another jewelry store elsewhere in Sonoma County.

Surveillance footage and automated license plate reader data led the investigation to Citrus Heights. Police arrested the suspect there Sept. 1 after he ran from the vehicle.

Investigators did not recover the stolen jewelry.

The suspect initially gave a false name before authorities identified him as Denis Gabriel Chitu, 30. A records check revealed more than half a dozen outstanding felony warrants from jurisdictions across the country.

Chitu remained in custody without bail because of the outstanding warrants.

The Healdsburg Police Department credited the Citrus Heights Police Department with helping make the arrest.