Three businesses vandalized in Cherry Hills Plaza

Shattered windows in the Rilynn Building are the result of rocks thrown by a suspect Sunday night. Photos provided by Brian Walker

A man who reportedly was just released from jail was in police custody Monday after three businesses were vandalized overnight in the Cherry Hills Plaza.

Deputies responded to two calls, at 1 a.m. and 4:33 a.m., to the shopping center, located in the heart of the Sun City community of Menifee, said Deputy Robyn Flores of the Sheriff's Department. The first call came from an alarm company reporting broken glass. Officers responded and did not locate a suspect, she said. Responding to a second call reporting an adult male throwing rocks through windows, deputies located and arrested the suspect.

Eight windows and a glass door were broken by rocks thrown at the Rilynn Building at 27070 Sun City Blvd., said the building's owner, Brian Walker. He said two other locations in the area were also hit. The suspect is seen on surveillance video in the act and was also seen by two witnesses near Stater Bros., Walker said.

"The guy just teed off with rocks he got by Stater Bros.," said Walker, whose tenants include a church and real estate office. "Then you can see him walk to the bus stop and just sit there, like he was waiting for police to come and arrest him."

The identity of the suspect and information on possible charges has not been released. Walker said the man was identified as a recently released inmate because he dropped an inmate paycheck made out to him. Released inmates often are given checks for work performed during their jail stay or for incidentals needed as they are re-entering society.