Arrests made in Mammoth Vons pharmacy burglary case
On Tuesday, October 29 the Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD) arrested a suspect in the recent burglary of the Vons Pharmacy in the Minaret Mall.
On Sunday night at approximately 11:15 p.m., Mammoth Lakes Police Officers were dispatched to the Vons Pharmacy in Mammoth Lakes for a report of a burglary in progress.
Upon arrival, a Vons employee told officers that she was contacted by a customer who was a witness to the crime. The customer saw someone attempting to break into the pharmacy, and then climb onto the roof. Upon arrival, MLPD officers searched the rooftop but did not locate any suspects.
The officers then made entry into the building after discovering an open exterior window. During a search of the business, officers discovered that an unknown suspect forced entry into the interior of the pharmacy. Officers also discovered that the suspect attempted to force open the cash register. Although it is clear that a quantity of prescription medication was stolen, the full loss will not be known until a complete inventory is completed.
After following up on leads, MLPD Detective Doug Hornbeck and Officer Andy Lehr served a search warrant at St. Moritz Condos, #13. They recovered evidence at that residence and arrested Christopher James Powell, 21, of Mammoth Lakes. Powell was a Vons employee and had been working as a cashier in the satellite store that included the pharmacy.
MONET agents assisted in the investigation and service of the search warrant. They also arrested Randy Rojas, 27, of Mammoth Lakes at the same residence.
Powell was booked into the Mono County Jail. His charges are 459 PC/Burglary, 135 PC/Destroying or Concealing Evidence and an outstanding warrant from San Bernardino. He is currently being held at the Mono County jail and his bail has been set at $20,000.
Rojas was released on a citation for 135 PC/Destroying or Concealing Evidence, 11364 H&S/Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia and 11357(b) H&S/Possession of Marijuana. –Press release
