Eyewitness Helps Capture 'Career Criminal'

ALAMEDA, CA — An auto burglar zipping around the Bay Area in a silver Jaguar was arrested by Alameda Police after an alert Good Samaritan snapped a photo and provided it to officers, the department reports. APD has labeled the suspect a "career criminal" who is responsible for recent crimes in at least nine cities around the area.

Police reported last week that back in February an Alameda resident saw a backpack being thrown out the window of the Jaguar and took a photo. That was the clue investigators needed to solve a one person crime wave.

The backpack had been stolen just minutes earlier at a shopping center parking lot. Officers found that three other vehicles had been burglarized at the same time.

Property Crime detectives turned to License Plate Readers to identify the suspect and meticulously linked him to other Alameda thefts and crimes in other jurisdictions. The suspect has prior arrests for auto burglary, felony evading of police, and concealed weapons convictions and is currently on probation for burglary.

Now arrested and charged, police say, "This career criminal would not have been identified without the help of the alert witness. So remember, if you see something, say something. Do not put yourself in danger, but try to be the best witness possible."

If you have information about this case, or to report suspicious activity, call the Alameda Police Department non-emergency line at (510) 337-8340.

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