In Roseville, California, a recent incident has put the spotlight on what constitutes burglary—whether that be an attempt or a successful break-in. The Roseville Police Department took to social media to share a case highlight where an attempted commercial burglary at an REI store did not go unnoticed. According to the Facebook post made by the department, the event occurred on November 23, when an individual tried, yet failed, to pry open the establishment's rear door in the early hours of the morning.
This attempt, at approximately 0745 hours, led to the response of officers following a tip from REI employees who had caught the act on their surveillance systems. During the investigation, officers suspected the individual might be part of the unhoused community based on surveillance footage showing the clothing and appearance of the suspect. These details were then shared with RPD's Social Services Unit. After some sleuthing involving illegal camps tagged for removal, on November 24, with illegal notices marked for removal by our Social Service unit, they found the suspect at his camp near Roseville Parkway and Taylor Rd.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Ryan Murphy, was apprehended with the same clothing on as seen in the footage. Murphy was arrested on charges of attempted burglary, vandalism, and for outstanding warrants. Making light of the process, the Roseville Police Department noted in their social media briefing, "He was brought to the Placer County Jail, where Deputies were kind enough to leave the door unlocked, so he could walk right in." In the wake of the arrest, the local authorities expressed their gratitude to the REI staff whose quick thinking allowed patrol and social services to close the case effectively.
