ALLEGED THIEF BREAKS NECK AT POLICE DEPARTMENT

A Citrus Heights man broke his neck early Friday after he allegedly
tried to retrieve his confiscated marijuana from the Wheatland Police
Department.

"It appears he was coming back to break into the building and get it,"
Police Chief Dan Boone said of the suspect, Kenneth Oraga, 47, who
could face burglary charges.

Oraga was transported to a Placer County hospital with a broken neck.
His condition was not available Friday night.

According to Boone, Officer Marc White arrested Oraga on Nov. 12 on
Highway 65 for allegedly driving under the influence.

White searched Oraga's truck and found two one-gallon plastic storage
bags full of marijuana, Boone said.

Oraga was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana and marijuana
for sale, in addition to the DUI, Boone said.

On Friday, police said, Oraga attempted to retrieve his marijuana when
he allegedly broke into the police station on Second Street at 4:17
a.m.

Boone said Officer Chris Gonzales was inside the station working on a
different drug bust report when a train passed by outside and he heard
the sound of breaking glass.

Gonzales thought it was just an object that fell off the wall and
broke, which happens sometimes as vibrations from passing trains shake
the building, Boone said. But Gonzales heard a second, louder crash
and got up to investigate, he said.

"It sounded like someone took a window out," Boone
said.

That's when Oraga entered the department hallway with a large sack, he
said.

Gonzales confronted Oraga and ordered him to halt and obey his
commands, Boone said. Oraga turned and ran back down the hallway. In
his attempt to escape, Oraga fell and broke his neck, Boone said.

After making sure Oraga received medical attention, police located the
suspect's truck about a block away. They also found a ladder and a
shovel he used to allegedly break into the building, Boone said.