5 Temecula Restaurants Burgled, Multiple Felony Charges Filed: DA

TEMECULA, CA — A 21-year-old parolee accused of breaking into nearly a dozen businesses in Lake Elsinore, Temecula and Wildomar was charged Monday with multiple counts of felony burglary.

K'John Henry Sands, of Compton, is accused of breaking into multiple restaurants in the Southwest Riverside cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar and Lake Elsinore, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Riverside District Attorney's office.

Sands was arrested Thursday and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation.

Sands is said to have broken into three restaurants in Lake Elsinore: Alberto's Mexican Food, a Chipotle, Panda Express; five restaurants in Temecula: Earth Bistro, Brushfire Grill, Ryu Sushi, Stadium Pizza, a Triple-B Cafe; and three more restaurants in Wildomar: Tacos Tijuana, Tuscany Grill, Los Reyes Bar & Grill.

Along with 11 counts of burglary, Sands is charged with being a prior strike felon who committed crimes while on parole.

He's being held without bail and is slated to make his initial court appearance Monday afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Reese, Sands allegedly burglarized eateries during the overnight hours, presumably when closed, between Feb. 14 and 16.

The value and type of property taken during the alleged break-ins were not disclosed.

Reese said that the sheriff's Special Enforcement Team handled the ensuing investigation and ultimately identified Sands as the alleged perpetrator, though no other details were provided.

The convicted felon was tracked down on Compton Boulevard near his home and taken into custody without incident, according to the sergeant.

According to court records, Sands has prior convictions for armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.

Related: SWR Burglary Spree Tied Compton Man, Arrest Made: Police