Former Employee Arrested Following Commercial Burglary Investigation in Monterey
MONTEREY, CA — A 32-year-old Monterey resident was arrested after detectives linked him to a commercial burglary at a local restaurant where he was previously employed.
At approximately 9:50 a.m. on August 22, 2026, Monterey Police Department officers responded to a burglary report at a restaurant located on the 400 block of Washington Street. Investigators determined an intruder shattered the establishment’s front glass door to gain access, attempted to remove a cash drawer, and ultimately fled with loose currency.
Detectives identified Christian Kraftzeck, 32, a recently terminated employee of the business, as the primary suspect. On August 26, 2026, officers executed a search warrant on the 1100 block of Sixth Street, where Kraftzeck was located in possession of pepper spray. Because Kraftzeck has a prior felony conviction prohibiting him from possessing tear gas or pepper spray, officers arrested and booked him into the Monterey County Jail for unlawful possession of tear gas (22810(a) PC).
Following the recovery of surveillance video from August 27 depicting Kraftzeck leaving the crime scene with stolen items, detectives filed an additional charge of commercial burglary (459 PC). His bail was set at $10,000.
