A Grand Terrace man has been arrested for allegedly stealing belongings from vehicles during a funeral service at the Riverside National Cemetery.
In March, multiple victims reported thefts from their vehicles while attending funeral services at the Riverside National Cemetery. During these incidents, the suspect allegedly stole various items, including credit cards, which were later used to make 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, deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station, with the assistance of CalFire Arson Investigators, located Gruen leaving the cemetery on Van Buren Boulevard and attempted a traffic enforcement stop. Gruen failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit ended in the area of Stetson Avenue and Cawston Avenue in the City of Hemet, where Gruen was taken into custody without incident. He was booked for evading a peace officer, several counts of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, and several fraud-related charges.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy Daily at the Perris Sheriff’s Station at 951-210–1000.
