Teen Arrested in Connection to Series of Banning School Thefts

An 18-year-old was behind bars Tuesday, suspected in a series of break-ins at several schools in the city of Banning valued at several thousand dollars, police said.

Rafael Loya was first arrested on May 21 at Central Elementary School, near S. San Gorgonio Ave. and Williams Street, according to Banning Police Sgt. Alex Diaz, who said police responded to a burglary alarm just after 5 a.m.

"Upon arrival, officers found a broken classroom window," he said.  "Upon closer inspection, they noticed a subject inside the classroom."

That suspect, later identified as Loya, tried to escape through another window, Diaz told Patch.  When police blocked him from going out that window, he ran out another way, but officers caught up with him a short time later.

Just two days later, the suspect pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of burglary, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, according to Diaz.  

However, investigators were able to connect Loya to additional thefts at Central Elementary School and Coombs Intermediate School, the sergeant said.   They also believe he may have also played a role in burglaries at Nicolet Middle School and Hemmerling Elementary School, according to Diaz.

"Evidence and stolen items were later found that linked Loya to burglaries at some of the schools," he said.

On Friday, the teen was re-arrested and charged with two additional counts of felony burglary in relation to Central and Coombs incidents.  

"The cases involving Nicolet Middle School and Hemmerling Elementary School are still under investigation," Diaz said.

Diaz told Patch that in the burglaries, several laptop computers were taken, as well as multiple overhead projectors.