Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Sean Liebrand
File # TE221530121
Details:
On June 8, 2022, patrol deputies assigned to Southwest Sheriff’s Station responded to a past commercial burglary and vehicle theft call for service at the 43500 block of Ridge Park Drive in the city of Temecula. The victim stated when he arrived at the location, he noticed the front window had been broken. A search of the interior revealed several electronics, and the company’s blue 2018 Hyundai Elantra was missing. Deputies entered the vehicle into the stolen vehicle system
On June 9, 2022, members of the Southwest Sheriff’s Station’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) received an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) notification of the blue Hyundai Elantra near the intersection of Rancho California Road and Jefferson Avenue. A short time later, SET received another ALPR notification near the intersection of Rancho California Road and Ynez Road. SET located the vehicle, unoccupied, behind a business at the 29600 block of Rancho California Road and began surveillance. A short time later, two subjects approached the vehicle and were detained without incident.
Timothy Mark Bethell, a 30-year-old resident of Winchester, was identified as the driver of the stolen vehicle and was arrested. Incident to arrest, SET conducted a search of Bethell and located a key to a local motel. A record check revealed Bethell is on active probation with search terms. SET conducted a search of the motel room and located evidence linking Bethell to the burglary. SET was able to obtain video surveillance from the business which showed Bethell smashing the front window, entering the business, rummaging through drawers, exiting with stolen electronics, and driving away in the stolen vehicle.
Bethell is the suspect in a burglary in the 27500 block of Ynez Road, vandalism in the 28200 block of Old Town Front Street causing approximately $2400.00 damage, a burglary in the 43500 block of Ridge Park Drive where he stole a laptop and the blue Hyundai Elantra, and burglary in the 28700 block of Old Town Front Street where he stole several iPads. Bethell directed SET to a location where he hid the iPads. SET recovered and returned the stolen items to all victims.
Anyone with additional information regarding these cases is encouraged to contact Deputy Miguel Vega or Deputy Cellina Hernandez at the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696-3000.
Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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