Police Bust Burglary Ring Targeting Homes For Sale

A sharp-eyed neighbor saved the day Tuesday on Marin View Ave., helping stop an alleged burglary ring that was targeting homes for sale in the area, according to Marin County Sheriff's Office Lt. Barry Heying.

The resident called police at 1 p.m. to report that two men were loading appliances into a pickup truck from a house for sale on the street while another woman acted as a lookout. The caller's description of the pickup truck was broadcast to local authorities, and a Mill Valley police officer spotted the trio near the office building at 100 Shoreline Highway.

At the same time, Marin County Sheriff's deputies responded to the house on Marin View Ave. and found that the house was missing its oven, range and dishwasher. The Thermador appliances were valued at more than $10,000.

Deputies arrested the three suspects - John Anthony Cilenti, 39, of San Mateo; Joseph Wilson Brown, 36, of Santa Rosa, and Marty Jo Moffett, 40, of Glen Ellen – on multiple charges, including burglary, grand theft, receiving known stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime, all felonies, as well as possession of burglary tools, a misdemeanor.

Sheriff's detectives investigated the case and linked the three to another unreported burglary of a home for sale on Panoramic Highway. Two large flat-screen televisions were missing from that home.

Detectives said they recovered the televisions at Brown's home, and found additional property believed to be stolen by the suspects at a related residence in Fairfield.

Bail for each was set at $50,000.