SRPD Property Crimes Investigations Team recovers property stolen during multiple burglaries and arrest two suspects following two-month investigation

On September 30, 2023, the Santa Rosa Police Department began investigating a series of burglaries from a storage unit complex located in the 400-block of Hearn Avenue. Officials learned that at least three separate units were burglarized within a short time span. Property stolen during the burglaries included musical instruments, sports memorabilia, and other personal items valued at approximately $20,000. 

Detectives from the Property Crimes Investigations Team (PCI) took over the investigation in October, and began following leads. During the investigation and with assistance from employees at the business, detectives identified a suspicious unit within the complex. This lease for this storage unit began close in time to when the burglaries occurred. Detectives authored a search warrant for the storage unit and on October 30, 2023, detectives located several of the stolen instruments and memorabilia items inside the newly leased unit. Also located in the storage unit was shotgun ammunition.

Detectives served additional search warrants to social media companies and cell phone providers seeking additional evidence of the crimes. The detectives also spent considerable time attempting to locate the owner of the storage unit containing the stolen items. Through those efforts, detectives identified the two suspects responsible for the burglaries as Nickolas Nachorny, a 38-year old Santa Rosa resident, and 46-year San Francisco resident Shane Milbourn. Nachorny and Milbourn also attempted to sell many of the stolen items for profit. 

On November 14, 2023, at approximately 12:45 pm, detectives arrested Nachorny at his residence in the 1500-block of Yulupa Avenue. Nachorny was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following charges:

182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy

496(a) PC – Possession of Stolen Property

459 PC – Burglary 

On November 20, 2023, at approximately 2:15 pm, PCI detectives identified Milbourn while conducting surveillance near downtown Santa Rosa.  Detectives coordinated with marked patrol units to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that Milbourn was seen riding in as a passenger. As Milbourn opened the passenger door to exit the vehicle, a glass pipe commonly used for smoking narcotics fell to the ground. During a search of the vehicle, a small bag containing suspected methamphetamine was located under the passenger seat where Milbourn had been sitting. Milbourn was arrested and later booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility for the following charges:

182(a)(1) PC – Conspiracy

496(a) PC – Possession of Stolen Property

459 PC – Burglary

30305(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of Ammunition

530.5(c)(2) PC – Identity Theft

11377(a) HS – Possession of a Controlled Substance

11364(a) HS – Possession of Paraphernalia

Detectives have not recovered all of the outstanding property and are continuing to follow up on leads with that goal.  

Santa Rosa Police Department case number 23-12393.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Patricia Seffens
Public Information Officer
707-543-3634
pseffens@srcity.org