Smoke Shop Burglar Busted

Valley Springs, CA — A man was arrested for breaking into, and trying to steal merchandise, from a Valley Springs business.

The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office reports that it happened at the Smoke Shop located on Highway 12. An alarm went off at the business, so deputies responded during the early morning hours earlier this week. They noticed that a ceiling tile had been removed, and could hear noises through the open hole. Deputies surrounded the building, and then noticed a man suddenly appear inside the adjoining U.S. Post Office.

Arrested was 21-year-old Russell Carson of Manteca. The Sheriff’s Office believes that Carson entered through a vacant office space next door, crawled through the ceiling, and then dropped into the Smoke Shop. He was allegedly trying to steal cigarettes. The Sheriff’s Office notes that a bag of methamphetamine was found in the area, which deputies believe belonged to Carson. He was booked into Calaveras County Jail.