Burglary Suspect Arrested 

April 6, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that in March 2026, several victims reported thefts from their vehicles while attending funeral services at a Cemetery located in the 22000 block of Van Buren Boulevard. During these incidents, the suspect stole various items, including credit cards, which were later used to commit fraudulent transactions. The Perris Sheriff’s Station Robbery Burglary Suppression Team assumed the investigation and identified the suspect as Kurt Gruen, a 47-year-old resident of Grand Terrace.

On April 4, 2026, deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station, with the assistance of CalFire Arson Investigators, located Gruen leaving a cemetery in the 22000 block of Van Buren Boulevard. Deputies attempted a traffic enforcement stop, but Gruen failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit terminated in the area of Stetson Avenue and Cawston Avenue, in the city of Hemet. Gruen was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for evading a peace officer, several counts of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, and several fraud-related charges.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available at this time. The Riverside Sheriff’s Office believes there may be additional unreported cases and encourages anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Daily at the Perris Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 210-1000 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099.

Reporting Supervisor: Lieutenant Jerry Abbott

File # PC260940047

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office