Fallbrook business owner concerned about burglaries

One Fallbrook business owner is sounding the alarm about what he says is an outbreak of burglaries in the area.

Eric Heyneman, owner of Fallbrook Auto Works, says he is trying to organize local businesses to solve the problem.

“All the businesses in town are getting hit all the time, it’s happening almost every other day,” he said. “I want to set up a meeting with the county supervisors, the sheriff’s department, all of that.”

He said, speaking for himself, his business has been broken into “probably a total of 24 times” in the past year.

“They’re cutting holes in the fences, breaking into cars in the shop yard, stealing anything that's not bolted down, breaking windows trying to get in the shop,” Heyneman said. “It’s actually costing us, as business owners, an average of $1,000 a month because of either property damage or stolen items.”

And Heyneman said he is frustrated with local law enforcement for the response to the burglary problem he described.

“Basically, they just come in and ask questions, ‘what do you got? OK, thank you?’ They come in and ask questions, but what happens? Nothing,” Heyneman said.

He said he has asked for extra patrols, but the burglaries continue.

"We pay our taxes, why aren't we getting any protection whatsoever?" he said.

Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation Lt. Arnold Aldana said there have been 15 burglaries in the substation’s coverage area, which also includes Bonsall, Rainbow and De Luz, from the beginning October through the end of November. Of those burglaries, four cases have led to five arrests, he said.

There are no repeat burglaries in that time period, Aldana said, although he made clear that there could be unreported repeat burglaries or ones in which no report was desired.

“There is follow up on all cases where evidence was obtained (video, witnesses, etc.),” he said. “Two of the cases were suspended for lack of workable leads.”

As for concerns about deputies’ efforts to investigate and mitigate burglaries, Aldana said Fallbrook has just six deputies during day and night shifts, when fully staffed.

“That does not take into account sick leave, training and vacation time, so that number is not constant and could be as low as 3-4 at a given shift,” Aldana said. “Those deputies cover a large geographical area, to include Fallbrook, DeLuz, Rainbow, and Bonsall. A majority of the time, deputies are reactive, meaning they react to radio calls as they come in and a majority of the time, depending on the priority level, it could be a two deputy or more response. In that scenario, deputies could be tied up on that call for an extended time, which prevent proactivity (actively seeking out the bad element). Additionally, when deputies are reactive, the response time could be extended due to the proximity to the location.”

He said it is difficult for deputies “to be in all places at all times.”

“It's unfortunate that there is dissatisfaction, but our deputies try to provide the highest public safety service for the county and more importantly the citizens of Fallbrook,” he said.

“As far as 'tracking down' the suspects in these burglaries, it depends on the type of evidence our deputies are able to get. If DNA or fingerprints are obtained, it will take time for the lab to get results, depending on the quality of the DNA or print. Sometimes there is not enough DNA profile or print information, making it even more difficult to identify a suspect. Additionally, if video surveillance is available, it also takes time to disseminate that information and for viable information to return for follow up.”

Aldana said business owners concerned about burglaries are encouraged to call the Fallbrook Station and request to speak to Crime Prevention Specialist Jake Kruger, who can provide business owners with prevention strategies that they can implement.

Will Fritz can be reached by email at [email protected].