Debris-covered burglar spotted returning to site of break-in, deputies say
A Yucaipa man was arrested in connection with a burglary at a jewelry store on Saturday after police say they spotted him observing the investigation while still covered in drywall and debris from the break-in.
The business, Marlene’s Jewelry at 34569 Yucaipa Blvd, was broken into at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, and when deputies arrived, they found a back door propped open and “a large hole cut in an interior wall,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
“Video surveillance showed an adult male, wearing shorts and an Under [Armour] sweatshirt, pulling a wagon on the side of the business,” the release said. “The same person was also seen attempting to cut the front door lock with a reciprocating saw.”
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While investigating, deputies spotted a man peering around the corner of a restaurant across the street before he hopped on a bicycle and rode away.
Deputies detained the man, later identified as 38-year-old Justin Flood, and discovered numerous ties to their suspected burglar, including that he was wearing shorts and an Under Armour sweatshirt “covered in drywall debris and insulation, consistent with the hole inside the store’s utility room,” the SBSD said.
Deputies also found a red canvas wagon that contained power tools, pry bars and a reciprocating saw, and an “independent witness saw Flood pulling the same wagon earlier in the evening,” the release added.
Flood was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on a burglary charge, and he’s being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
He is due to appear in San Bernardino Superior Court on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call 909-918-2305.
To report information anonymously, call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME or visit the website at wetip.com.
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