Deputies nab suspect in series of burglaries

A suspect in a series of commercial burglaries in Ramona was scheduled to be in court this week.

Roy Daniel Scott, 29, had been in county jail in Chula Vista since his arrest at 2 a.m. Feb. 6, after sheriff’s Deputy Karl Miller heard glass breaking in the area of All About Fun RV Rental, Sales & Service at Fifth and Main streest, reported Detective Sgt. George Calderon with the sheriff’s Ramona Substation.

Detectives at the Ramona station had been investigating a series of commercial burglaries that started in mid-December and continued through early February. They had briefed patrol deputies, who were checking the town’s commercial area when Miller heard the glass breaking.

After setting up a perimeter, deputies found that someone had broken into the county yard off Third Street and the windows of several vehicles had been smashed, said Calderon. A witness reported seeing a suspect near the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet at Eighth and Main streets, and a pursuit began that ended with sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Smith apprehending the suspect in the 600 block of Main Street. The suspect was seen dumping stolen property, according to the sheriff’s report.

Sheriff’s detectives went to Scott’s room in a sober living house where he lived off Third and D streets and recovered some items that had been reported stolen in previous burglaries, said Calderon.

While they were at the sober living house, detectives arrested Joseph Price, 24, for possession of heroin. On a return trip to the home on Feb. 8 with a San Diego County Code Enforcement officer, Price, who apparently had bailed out of jail, was re-arrested, charged with possession of cocaine, said Calderon.

Ramona/Julian Academy of Dance, KTM Automotive, Pott Belly Shop, Los Rancheros, Take It or Leave It, China Blue Salon and Mamma Rosa’s are among businesses burglarized in what detectives believe were by the same person or persons. In each case, a rock was used to break into the businesses, and cash and small items were taken, things the burglar or burglars could grab and “get in and out quickly,” said Calderon.

Scott was charged with three commercial burglaries, and sheriff’s detectives continue to investigate the burglary series, said Calderon.

Scott was scheduled to be in Superior Court in South Bay on Tuesday, the day the Sentinel goes to press.