A Pine Grove man has been arrested on suspicion of residential burglary and child endangerment after he disclosed that he had left his 7-month-old son in his vehicle during an alleged break-in.
An Amador County sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a residence on Toyon Road in Pine Grove about 8:40 a.m. Monday regarding a report of a suspicious man and vehicle. While en route, the deputy was informed that the man had approached a home, knocked on the front door and looked through windows before leaving.
The deputy contacted the witness and checked the area. While doing so, the deputy found the suspicious vehicle parked in another driveway on Toyon Road, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
The deputy requested assistance and when a patrol sergeant arrived, they checked residence and found a door standing open.They located the suspect, identified as Joel Rusher (pictured),33, of Pine Grove, as he moved between the house and the attached garage.
Deputies searched Rusher and found in his pants pocket medications prescribed to the resident. Authorities said a further search indicated that Rusher had taken numerous items from various locations inside the house and placed them in the garage, allegedly to hasten the theft.
The resident was contacted and denied knowing Rusher or allowing him access to the property.
As Rusher was being arrested, he informed deputies that he had left his infant son unattended in the back seat of his vehicle.
The child was released to the custody of Child Protective Services.
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