GPS Used To Track Stolen iPad; Break-In Suspect Found Snoozing In Restaurant

Sonoma County sheriff’s detectives tracked the location of a stolen iPad to locate a residential burglary suspect Monday, a sheriff’s sergeant said.

Michael Lee McClure, 20, of Kalispell, Montana, is suspected of stealing computers, iPads, cameras, credit cards, jewelry and a projection screen entertainment system from a residence near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Sunday night or early Monday morning, Sgt. Michael Raasch said.

The female resident of the home called the sheriff’s office when she woke up around 7 a.m. Monday and discovered the burglary, Raasch said. The burglar spent a considerable amount of time in the residence, 45 minutes to an hour, and hid and buried the stolen items outdoors on the woman’s property, Raasch said.

Detectives staked out the property between 9 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday waiting for the burglar to return and retrieve the stolen items, but he didn’t return, Raasch said. Detectives were able to track the stolen iPad through a Global Positioning System which led them to the Redwood Drive area of Rohnert Park, Raasch said.

They noticed a man, identified as McClure, who they were told had been sleeping inside a restaurant in the Walmart shopping center area on Redwood Drive, Raasch said.

McClure was initially arrested for being under the influence of drugs, but he was wearing the burglary victim’s stolen watch and scarf and had the victim’s backpack, iPad and other items, Raasch said.

McClure also was found in possession of drugs, Raasch said. Statements he made at the sheriff’s office and evidence linked McClure to the burglary, Raasch said. McClure was in the area visiting his girlfriend and the burglary was a random act, Raasch said.

The sheriff’s office doesn’t believe anyone else was involved, Raasch said.

McClure was booked under $300,000 bail in the Sonoma County Jail for first-degree-residential burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine, Raasch said.

--Bay City News

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