Santa Rosa Police Arrest Six in School Burglaries
Four adults and two minors were arrested in three burglary-related incidents at shuttered Santa Rosa City Schools campuses.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Property Crime
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Santa Rosa Police arrested four adults and two minors on Thursday and Friday, October 29 and 30, in three burglary-related incidents at Steele Lane Elementary and Comstock Middle schools. Officers found two men cutting copper wire from the Steele Lane Elementary building, where about $260,000 in damage was sustained on October 15.
Why it matters
The arrests highlight the vulnerability of closed school properties to theft and vandalism. Copper theft has caused significant financial losses to the district, which currently owns five shuttered campuses.
Three men aged 43, 42 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft of copper material, while a 22-year-old man was arrested for burglary and vandalism at Comstock Middle School. Two minors were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary after being found prying a door open with a crowbar.
The players
Santa Rosa Police Department
The municipal police agency serving Santa Rosa, California, which conducted the investigation and arrests.
Santa Rosa City Schools
The public school district that owns the shuttered Steele Lane Elementary and Comstock Middle School campuses.
The details
Officers checked Steele Lane Elementary after a community member reported flashlights inside the closed campus, finding two men cutting copper wire and recovering tools and loose wire at the scene. At Comstock Middle School, a surveillance alert led to the arrest of a 22-year-old man, and two minors were caught attempting to pry open a door.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: Six teens were arrested over about $200,000 in damage at Brook Hill Elementary.
October 15, 2026: Steele Lane Elementary sustained about $260,000 in copper theft damage.
October 29, 2026: Three men were arrested around 1:45 a.m. at Steele Lane Elementary.
October 30, 2026: A burglary arrest was made at Comstock Middle School before 8 a.m., and two minors were arrested at 5:15 p.m.
Legal Context
The arrests follow the October 9 Brook Hill Elementary case, in which six teens were arrested over about $200,000 in damage, indicating a recurring pattern of break-ins at closed Santa Rosa school properties. Together, these incidents show how the district's shuttered campuses have become repeated targets for copper theft and vandalism.
Residents near closed Santa Rosa school campuses may notice increased police checks as the district and police respond to repeated break-ins. Neighbors who see suspicious activity at shuttered school properties are being encouraged to report it to police.
The takeaway
Property owners with vacant buildings should review security measures, since repeated copper theft can cause losses far exceeding the value of the stolen metal. Reporting unusual activity at closed buildings helps police respond faster.
Further reading
For more local coverage of thefts and break-ins, see Santa Rosa Property Crime.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
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