Solano County Man Accused Of Stealing Fire Evacuee's Bag: Police

NORTH BAY, CA — A Kincade Fire evacuee's bag of belongings was stolen at a Fairfield McDonald's Monday but officers, with the help of the victim and restaurant management, tracked down the alleged thief and returned the bag to the woman, police said.

The woman stopped in Fairfield on her way to a temporary residence and while she was eating at the fast-food restaurant, an individual snatched her bag when she was not looking — the bag that had all the items she was able to take with her when she was evacuated, Fairfield police Lt. Jausiah Jacobsen said.

The woman worked with the store management to review surveillance video and found footage where the suspect had stolen her bag. She then reached out to Fairfield PD, and a report was taken by Community Service Officer Stephanie Robertson.

When the victim went back to the restaurant to drop off her information in case her bag was found, she and the management saw the person they believed took her bag.

She called Fairfield PD, and officers responded to the scene at 3500 Nelson Road.

It was not long before Officer Keith Pulsipher found the suspect — later identified as Shawn Spontini, 59, of Fairfield — and a bag matching the victim's, according to Fairfield police.

After the woman confirmed the bag was hers — luckily, all of her items were still inside — Spontini was arrested and the evacuee continued on her way, Jacobsen said.

Spontini, meanwhile, was booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of felony theft. Spontini was also being held on four outstanding warrants for various offenses, Jacobsen said.

"We would like to thank the victim for reaching out to us, the restaurant management for quickly reviewing the video and everyone working together to get the property back," Jacobsen said. "Even though it seems everything is coming apart with the fires, winds and power outages, it's times like this that show we can all come together to make things right."