Crime Briefs: Jan. 5. 2013

Burglar hits bar’s music machine

A masked intruder smashed his way into the Sportsman's Club in Colusa early Wednesday and stole an unknown amount of money from the music machine on the west wall, the Colusa police said.

The burglary was nearly identical to one that took place at the Fifth Street bar about six months ago.

Sgt. Josh Fitch said police responded to the alarm at 3:30 a.m. They found the front door had been kicked in, and the "karaoke machine" had been knocked down and the money from it was taken.

"They were in and out in less than a minute," Fitch said.

The bar's security surveillance picked up a single intruder wearing a mask and gloves.

"So it was very similar to the first one," Fitch said.

Man arrested on sex charge

A 45-year-old Willows man was arrested by the California Highway Patrol around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 28 at the northbound Maxwell Rest Area along Interstate 5 on suspicion of loitering in a restroom for the purpose of engaging or soliciting lewd or lascivious acts.

J. Refugio Valenzuela Valdez was arrested in the men's restroom of the rest area and booked into the Colusa County Jail on the misdemeanor sex charge, as well as a felony for illegal entry into the country. He is being held on a no-bail warrant.

The CHP also will seek vandalism charges. Valdez reportedly damaged property in the bathroom.