Rio Nido man arrested in theft of Star Wars collectibles

A 42-year-old Rio Nido man was arrested in connection with the theft of dozens of boxes of unopened Star Wars collectibles from the neighboring home of an elderly couple, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said.

Detectives investigating a break-in at the couple’s vacation home Tuesday afternoon spotted an empty Star Wars collector’s-item box in front of Dennis Hickox’s home on Rio Nido Road, Sgt. Cecile Focha reported in a press release.

Searching his home, investigators found the collectibles, along with stolen furniture, paintings, clothing, throw rugs, tools and records, which were inventoried, photographed and returned to the couple, she said.

“The (Star Wars) memorabilia was unique and of considerable worth,” Focha said.

The episode unfolded after the couple in their 70s found their vacation home on Rio Nido Road had been burglarized. Windows were broken, doors damaged and the house was ransacked, with food items strewn about and empty bottles of alcoholic beverages scattered on the floors, Focha said.

Almost everything of monetary or sentimental value had been taken, she said.

Detectives were canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses when they spotted the box at Hickox’s house.

Hickox was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of stolen property. He was booked at the Sonoma County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

You can reach Staff Writer Guy Kovner at 521-5457 or guy.kovner@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @guykovner.