MURRIETA – An observant citizen contacted the Murrieta Police Department’s Dispatch Center Sept. 23 regarding a male that was seen tampering with a public mailbox near the LA Fitness located at 40985 California Oaks Road. After tampering with the first mailbox, the man then drove with another unidentified person to the Albertsons Shopping Center located across California Oaks Road.
The citizen was able to observe the male and his vehicle from a safe distance while providing the information to the Murrieta dispatcher. Before officers could arrive the vehicle Somphou had seen driving in left the location.
“The vehicle Somphou was in fled the scene prior to officers arriving in the parking lot,” according to a Murrieta police official. “The vehicle, described as a blue Toyota Sienna, may be seen in the area and could be involved in criminal activity related to mail theft.”
Officers responded to the Albertsons Shopping Center at about 10 a.m. The officer located and contacted the male described by the citizen a few minutes later at 10:06 a.m. Based on the circumstances and witness statements, the officer detained the man, who was later identified as Phouthiam Somphou, 39, of San Diego.
During the officer’s investigation Somphou provided the officer with a false identification card to the officers. Officers determined the identification Somphou provided had been reported stolen during a vehicle burglary in Temecula.
Once the officers were able to positively identified Somphou, they determined he had a felony arrest warrant from San Diego.
Somphou was arrested for his warrant as well as providing false identification to law enforcement. Somphou was booked into the Southwest Detention Center.
According to Murrieta police officials, Somphou was booked on suspicion of willfully resisting, delaying or obstruct a peace officer, false impersonation of another in order to obtain credit, and possession of another person’s identification. He was also booked for his felony warrant.
A jail record search did not reveal any information regarding Somphou’s arrest.
“The Murrieta Police Department would like to take this opportunity to commend it’s residents for being aware of their surroundings and calling the Murrieta Police Department at (951) 696-3615 when they witness criminal activity. In partnership with our community we can keep our city a safe place to live.”
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