Christmas Burglary Report Surfaces: Beaumont Man Wants Dirtbike Back

A Christmas Day burglary report has surfaced in Beaumont, and the victim says he wants his dirtbike back.

A theft of property that included a motorcycle was reported on Dec. 25 at a home in the 1100 block of Olive Avenue, a city spokeswoman said.

"The victim stated that a relative, who had moved out several weeks prior, had returned to the residence to retrieve personal property," Special Projects Manager Darci Mulvihill said in a statement. "When the victim returned home, he determined that several of his personal belongings were missing."

The relative was identified as Merissa Marie Smith, 24, according to Mulvihill and inmate records. Matthew Ray Munoz, 20, and another unknown man were also identified as suspects.

Smith was arrested at 11:55 p.m. Dec. 25 at 690 Massachusetts Ave. in Beaumont, according to inmate records. She was booked on two felonies, taking a vehicle without owner's consent, residential burglary, and two traffic misdemeanors.

Munoz was arrested at 1:01 a.m. Jan. 1 at 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Beaumont, according to inmate records. He was booked on three felonies, taking vehicle without owner's consent, carrying a concealed firearm, residential burglary, and two concealed weapon misdemeanors.

Munoz was released later Jan. 1 on $25,000 bail, and Smith was released Jan. 7 on $25,000 bail, according to inmate records.

No additional information was available regarding the other adult male suspect, Mulvihill said.

The victim Johnny Miranda, 20, contacted by Banning-Beaumont Patch, said in interviews the stolen motorcycle was a red 2008 Honda CRF450R, which he purchased for $8,000 along with $2,000 in performance upgrade accessories.

Miranda also said his helmet, goggles, a digital camera, a PlayStation, and some of his grandmother's jewelry were stolen.

None of the property items reported stolen were Christmas gifts, but that did not lessen the loss or soften the timing, Miranda said.

Miranda said Smith is his cousin, the daughter of an aunt.

Mulvihill confirmed a motorcycle was reported stolen, but she declined a request from Banning-Beaumont Patch to release a copy of the police report, stating it was "only releasable to involved parties."

Miranda said he is a passionate amateur motocross competitor, and he works two jobs to pay off the $10,000 dirtbike and gear that are now missing.

"I'm upside down on it, paying for something I don't even have," Miranda said. "This isn't right."

Miranda said he works as an oil changer at the Meineke in Beaumont, and he is a pool service helper for Speedy Blue Pools in Beaumont.

"I hope your readers can understand, if they see my bike or hear something about its location to please call the Beaumont PD," Miranda said.

"In meantime I need help from your readers if they can make any donations or leads to a bike . . . I could purchase for a good price," Miranda said. "I need their help. Motocross is my passion, and they stole that from me."

When he's not working, Miranda can be reached at illwashurcar@gmail.com or (951) 581-9199. Beaumont police can be reached at (951) 769-8500.

from a driveway in the same area, on West 10th Street, on Jan. 3. In that case the owner left the key in the ignition and there was no burglary, according to Beaumont police.