Media Release

For Immediate Release

Newell Open Space Burglary Suspect Arrested

AMERICAN CANYON, Calif., March 23, 2022, 2 PM - During the months of February and March 2022, numerous vehicles have been broken into at the Newell Open Space parking lot, at which time the vehicle windows were punched/smashed and items of value taken. The most recent incident occurred on March 14, and a witness provided ACPD with a suspect description, vehicle description, and license plate.

ACPD was able to identify the suspect as 26-year-old Jamal Rutledge, who resides in Richmond. The vehicle he was driving on March 14 was a 2016 white BMW sedan. On Friday, March 18, at approximately 11:00 AM, an alert ACPD officer saw the BMW traveling in the area of American Canyon Road and Newell Drive. The officer recognized the driver to be Rutledge. A traffic stop was initiated on the BMW, which led to a vehicle pursuit after Rutledge failed to stop. Due to the reckless driving behavior, the pursuit was terminated.

ACPD obtained an arrest warrant for Rutledge and learned he would be checking in with the Contra Costa Probation Department on today’s date. Napa County Sheriff Department Detectives and ACPD contacted Rutledge in Contra Costa County, where he was arrested for the rash of vehicle burglaries in American Canyon. He was transported to the Napa County Jail for booking. Before booking, officers searched Rutledge and located a “window punch” commonly used in vehicle burglaries in his pants pocket.

Rutledge is currently in custody with a bail amount of $100,000. He is also being held on an arrest warrant issued out of Santa Clara County.

For additional information, contact:

Rick Greenberg, Police Chief
(707) 551-0600