Santa Cruz Man Jailed For Burglary After Leaving His Picture At Crime Scene
SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- A Santa Cruz man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly left a camera containing a picture of himself at the scene of a burglary, police said.
Early on Thursday morning, officers responded to reports that two businesses in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue had been broken into through their back doors, according to Santa Cruz police.
Both businesses -- Santa Cruz Glass and Kayber Pass Restaurant -- were ransacked, and one had more than $170 stolen from a cash register, police said.
During the investigation, various items left at the scene were processed as evidence.
One of the items was a digital camera that was believed to have been left behind by the burglar.
The camera contained a picture of 42-year-old Richard Stipe.
Stipe was contacted by police on Friday, after he was recognized by an officer who had seen his photograph, police said.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)
During questioning, Stipe allegedly confessed to the burglaries on Pacific Avenue.
He was arrested and booked into jail.
Anyone with information about the crimes or the suspect is asked to contact Santa Cruz police at (831) 420-5820.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed)
