Couple Breaks Into Sonoma Business, Steals Power Washer: SCSO

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — A Sonoma couple was arrested early Tuesday when they were allegedly caught with items they'd just stolen during the burglary of a Sonoma business. At about 2 a.m., a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy spotted a white Nissan Altima backing into the driveway of The Rental Place in the 21500 block of 8th Street E. in Sonoma, according to sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum.

"The deputy noticed there was a sun shade placed in the front windshield which the deputy found odd given the time of day and positioning of the car," Crum said.

So the deputy called for backup and as soon as several other deputies arrived, they began walking the fence line of the business. They heard a commotion coming from a shed on the property, Crum said, then saw a person, later identified as 30-year-old Sonoma resident Vicente Valencia, allegedly going through a fence on the opposite end of the property pulling a piece of equipment behind him back toward the Altima.

"As Valencia got to the Altima, deputies confronted him and took him into custody without incident," Crum said.

Valencia's girlfriend, 31-year-old Michelle Castorena of Sonoma, was waiting in the driver's seat of the car and was also arrested, Crum said.

The item Valencia was allegedly seen pulling behind him was a $600 power washer stolen from The Rental Place, Crum alleged.

Deputies also found several tools in his pocket that were believed to have been used to pry open a section of the chain-link fence and remove a hinge from the shed to gain entry, Crum alleged.

Valencia and Castorena were booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy.

Valencia was also booked for a probation violation stemming from a previous drug case, the sergeant said.

Jail records show the couple was booked at about 5:22 a.m. Tuesday. Bail amounts were not immediately available.

Mughsots courtesy Sonoma County Sheriff's Office