By Mike Hazlip–
Citrus Heights police confirmed this week that a suspect who allegedly broke into Pastor’s Valero convenience store last month was arrested, after a distinctive “Monopoly” shirt the suspect wore led to him being identified.
The break-in occurred around 1 a.m. on Jan. 15. The business posted security camera video of the suspect running out of the store clutching items to his chest.
“Recognize him?! He just broke into our business! Took a rock, broke the glass and stole from us!” the business said in a Facebook post last month.
Lieut. Michael Wells of the Citrus Heights Police Department said officers responded to the scene just after 1 a.m., shortly after the suspect had fled running eastbound on Auburn Boulevard. Police searched the area, but were not able to locate the suspect.
“The suspect reached through the smashed window and unlocked the door from the inside, entered, and stole various tobacco products,” Wells said. He could be seen wearing a white Monopoly shirt in security video.
A week later, officers on patrol near Tempo Park on Jan. 22 located an 18-year-old male wearing a Monopoly sweatshirt. Officers detained the individual and he admitted to the theft, according to Wells. The individual was transported directly to jail.
The Sentinel reported another incident at the same gas station where two suspects stole a purse from an employee. Police say one of the men distracted the employee while the other crawled around the counter and took the purse. Thanks to high-definition security footage, the men have since been identified and a warrant has been issued for their arrest.
Pastor’s Valero has seen a number of robberies in recent months. In two instances, the suspects were identified after the business shared high definition surveillance camera video on social media.
Related: Citrus Heights police identify suspects in gas station purse snatching
