STAFF REPORTS

Corona – On Mon., Oct. 20, Corona Police Officers were dispatched to Kohl’s Department Store, located at 470 Hidden Valley Parkway, in response to possible grand theft and vandalism. The investigation revealed that during the previous weekend, an unknown suspect had cut and removed the copper wiring from the electrical panels that control the solar panels on the building. Several other electrical boxes were also cut, with the damage and repair costs estimated at $300,000.

According to the Corona Police Department, the same investigating officer was again patrolling Kohl’s on the morning of Tues., Oct. 21, when he observed a white truck driving out from behind the business. The plates on the truck were covered, so the officer initiated a traffic stop.

The two occupants in the vehicle were contacted and found to be in possession of copper wiring and several burglary tools. The wire found in the truck was the same type as that stolen in the earlier investigation. This interaction revealed that the subjects had returned to steal additional wire from the same location.

Derrick Aescheliman and
Nathion Gourley arrested for grand theft and felony vandalism. (Photo Courtesy: Corona Police Department)

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Derrick Aescheliman, 45, a resident of Upland; and the passenger was identified as Nathion Gourley, 35, a resident of Corona. Both men were arrested for grand theft and felony vandalism.