Suspect arrested in $106,000 burglary at El Sobrante veterinary hospital thanks to cigarette butt at the crime scene​on February 28, 2025 at 8:59 pm

A 50-year-old man was arrested in connection with the break-in that targeted pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.   

SAN PABLO — A Rodeo man’s smoking habit may have done him after police used DNA from a discarded cigarette butt to link him to a $106,000 burglary, court records show.

The 50-year-old Rodeo resident was arrested on Feb. 11 on suspicion of felony commercial burglary, but he has not yet been charged, court records show. He was booked on a $20,000 warrant and later released.

The Nov. 26 burglary targeted a veterinary hospital on the 400 block of Valley View Road in El Sobrante. Staff there reported a loss of $106,000 worth of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, authorities said.

Investigators found a cigarette butt inside the hospital, which was later tested for DNA and linked to the man, authorities said.

Originally Published: February 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM PST

• Report an error
• Policies and Standards
• Contact Us

​

SAN PABLO — A Rodeo man’s smoking habit may have done him after police used DNA from a discarded cigarette butt to link him to a $106,000 burglary, court records show.

The 50-year-old Rodeo resident was arrested on Feb. 11 on suspicion of felony commercial burglary, but he has not yet been charged, court records show. He was booked on a $20,000 warrant and later released.

The Nov. 26 burglary targeted a veterinary hospital on the 400 block of Valley View Road in El Sobrante. Staff there reported a loss of $106,000 worth of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, authorities said.

Investigators found a cigarette butt inside the hospital, which was later tested for DNA and linked to the man, authorities said.