In a culmination of efforts by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office to crack down on a series of thefts in the Sea Ranch area, the stolen redwood bench from the Sea Ranch Chapel was retrieved, and a suspect was apprehended last week. Highlighting the resolve of local law enforcement, the Resident Coast Deputy, alongside detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit, was instrumental in solving the string of burglaries that have troubled the Sea Ranch community.
The breakthrough in the case came about on Thursday, May 30, when the Resident Deputy discovered an unoccupied and possibly burglarized home with an open door. Shortly after, Zachary Alexander Ball, age 29, was pulled over at a traffic stop, which led to his arrest. During subsequent searches of his vehicle and residence in Sea Ranch, authorities uncovered evidence tying him to multiple thefts, as posted by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Continuing their investigation the following day, detectives, accompanied by the Deputy and his K-9 partner Maximo, executed another search warrant at Ball’s girlfriend’s residence in San Francisco. Several pilfered items from Sea Ranch were retrieved, including the cherished redwood bench reported stolen in November 2023. These items are currently being returned to their rightful owners.
Ball faces a list of charges, including burglary, grand theft, and possession of stolen property. He was in custody on $150,000 bail, according to the Sonoma Sheriff’s Facebook post. After further investigation, additional charges have been stacked against the suspect. Ball has been charged with six extra counts each of burglary and grand theft.
