Photo: Sniffin and McFann
PALM DESERT – Self-storage burglaries were in the spotlight over the past few months, when Riverside County Sheriff Palm Desert Station Burglary Suppression Unit (BSU) set their sites on commercial burglaries in the 40000 block of Harris Lane, Palm Desert. Two individuals in particular, who had rented a unit there, were under scrutiny.
“BSU identified convicted felon, Blaine Sniffin, (50) of Palm Desert, and Valori McFann, (31) of Palm Desert for their involvement,” said Sergeant Christopher Ternes. “On October 13, 2021, BSU members authored a search warrant in the 40000 block of Harris Lane, Palm Desert, regarding a storage unit belonging to Sniffin and McFann.”
Numerous items were discovered at the 11:00 AM visit – all linking the duo to the storage unit center’s multiple commercial burglaries. Of particular note was BSU’s discovery of a firearm and high-capacity magazine – both prohibited, especially when linked to felon Sniffin.
As a result, an arrest took place when BSU members located the pilfering pair in the 34000 block of Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert. Both Sniffin and McFann were transported and booked on November 30, 2021 into the John Benoit Detention Center, in the city of Indio.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Deputy Marcel Stuhrmann, of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (760) 836-1600 – or call anonymously at (760) 341-STOP (7867) and reference incident # T211720077.
