Man Arrested for Allegedly Vandalizing, Stealing From Elementary School in Rural Kings County
Above: Ceron’s truck
Photos courtesy of Kings County Sheriff’s Office
A suspect has been arrested in connection with an alleged vandalism and theft that occurred at Kit Carson Elementary School in rural Kings County. The incident took place in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 13, the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Still image from surveillance video provided to investigators
A deputy responded to the school to investigate the initial report and was shown a four-foot cut in a chain-link fence, which the suspect seemingly used to gain entry onto the school grounds. The school’s Ford F-150, which was parked on the east side of the property, suffered damage with a hole drilled into its gas tank, resulting in fuel being drained out. Some of the fuel also spilled onto the recently surfaced asphalt parking lot, causing damage and leaving an oily substance.
Kit Carson School provided surveillance footage that clearly captured the suspect committing the crime.
On the morning of Thursday, July 20, a deputy was dispatched to the 9100 Block of Niles Avenue in Corcoran to investigate an unrelated incident involving an unwanted individual on the property. Corcoran Police officers arrived at the scene before the deputy and detained the individual.
The deputy arrived soon after and recognized the individual as the same person shown in the surveillance video from Kit Carson School. The subject was reportedly identified as 35-year-old Luis Ceron.
Ceron reportedly denied any involvement and claimed not to have stolen from the school. Despite these claims, the truck he was driving matched the vehicle shown on the school’s surveillance footage — a black pickup with a white driver’s side door and hood. The deputy ran the truck’s VIN, which matched Ceron’s registration.
Ceron was arrested and booked at the Kings County jail on suspicion of of felony vandalism, trespassing, and theft. His bail has been set at $40,000. It was unclear at press time whether he had retained an attorney.
