Santa Monica CA Dec 29 2013 A security guard at an apartment complex under construction saw two suspects near an electrical control panel door holding some bolt cutters.
The door had a pad lock on it and it appeared they were going to cut the lock. When he confronted them, the pair walked up some stairs to the ground level.
The security guard followed them and saw four other suspects leaving with three trash cans on dollies filled with copper pipe.
The guard followed them and got pictures of the suspects and a license plate.
He made a police report and provided police with the photos.
On Dec. 21, an Los Angeles Police officer found the vehicle using an automated license plate reader. The driver was arrested and held for questioning.
Santa Monica Police officers found evidence in the vehicle linking the driver to the theft. He was placed under arrest for burglary.
He was identified as Lawrence Edward Thomas, 35, of Gardena, Calif. His bail was set at $50,000. –
credits to private officer international
GuardCor Established 1966 