Sacramento-area window smashings could be linked to fraud scheme, police say
One person has been arrested as part of a fraud investigation in connection with the destruction of at least 10 Northern California businesses' large glass windows — vandalism that caused more than $500,000 in damages, authorities said.
Philip Archuleta, 30, 0f Roseville was arrested last week on charges unrelated to the vandalism, including possession of a stolen assault weapon and child endangerment.
The arrest came after detectives from the Citrus Heights and Sacramento Police Departments were serving simultaneous search warrants at a home and business on Thursday.
Citrus Heights police confirmed on Monday that law enforcement was serving search warrants for evidence of fraud. While his arrest was on unrelated charges, the investigation is ongoing.
Archuleta was running a business called Brothers Doors and Glass without a contractor's license, police said.
"The investigation is ongoing and we anticipate additional charges related to the vandalism series in the near future," Citrus Heights police said.
Archuleta is now out of custody in Placer County after posting a $10,000 bond. KCRA 3 has reached out to him and his business for comment and has not heard back.
Many of the business victims across the Sacramento region had their large glass windows destroyed over the last several months, police say.
A few businesses were hit on multiple occasions. A pizza restaurant and noodle restaurant, both in Citrus Heights, were targeted on two separate occasions, according to authorities.
Those businesses identified themselves to KCRA 3 as Fukumi Ramen and Mountain Mike’s Pizza, both located on Sunrise Boulevard.
The owners of Fukumi Ramen say they were hit three times by the vandalism. The third hit was caught on the business’ surveillance cameras.
“Black clothing on, black mask on,” an employee explained in the video. “Had a hammer and everything. Went around pretty quickly smashing everything.”
The owner said she knows Archuleta.
Before her business was vandalized for the first time, Archuleta's company was repairing her business’ door.
“He, out of nowhere, told me that he does glass as well,” Sylbi Song told KCRA 3. “Then the next day, our windows were broken, so I reached out to him right away because he just mentioned he does glass and I needed someone right away.”
When her business was broken into again a few days later, she decided to not call him back for the repairs due to “weird feelings.”
According to the Citrus Heights Police, the string of vandalism involved multiple jurisdictions and counties.
Authorities say the vandalism to these businesses was not a hate-related crime. Citrus Heights Police say they are working with the Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Roseville police departments on this case.
They are asking any businesses that have recently had their windows vandalized across the Sacramento region to call law enforcement.
Once they are done collecting and analyzing evidence, a spokesperson with Citrus Heights Police said they will submit a complaint with all the victims to the Sacramento County District Attorney for review.
After that, another arrest warrant could be issued.