Looter Accused of Stealing from First Responders during North Bay Fires

While the North Bay fires continue to burn, a man was arrested for allegedly stealing from a car in an evacuation zone. Upon investigation police also discovered other items believed to be stolen such as pharmaceuticals, sunglasses and a fire department’s emergency fire shelter kit marked “SMFD.”

Sgt. Spencer Crum of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a fight on Thursday. When speaking to Crum the person who reported the confrontation claimed to overhear the alleged perpetrator telling a neighbor that he only stole a pair of glasses, and then he proceeded to ride away from the altercation on his bicycle.

Deputies contacted 30-year-old Morgan Plumere, the suspected culprit in the lootings. They found him holding a prescription pill bottle with a woman’s name on the label, insulin, unused syringes, an unknown white substance in a bag and an emergency fire kit. They also discovered a portable radio suspected of being stolen from La Prenda Vineyards on October 5.

Plumere was taken into custody for felony receiving of stolen property, misdemeanor petty theft during a local state emergency, misdemeanor petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held on $25,000 bond and his arraignment is scheduled for Monday at the Sonoma County Superior Court.

If you or someone you love is suspected of petty theft, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.