KUSI 10-News has reported that the sweep took place on Black Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and took place as part of the Department’s “Holiday Watch” program.   According to a statement put out by the Sheriff’s Department, the warrant sweep was coupled with a command post at the Walmart shopping center.    During that time Deputies and Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) members conducted direct patrols on foot, bikes as well as in marked and unmarked cars.

The command post, say Sheriffs officials, was supported with a public information campaign, as well as on-site Crime Prevention Specialists who spoke to people about what they could do to avoid becoming victimized during the holiday shopping season.

Vista Station Lt. Charles Cinnamo said the purpose of the Holiday Watch program is to deter criminal activity in several ways.  The first, he said,  is through using intelligence to lead police to target specific criminals related to theft offenses. This is being accomplished through warrant sweeps and compliance checks for probationers.   The second is to conduct direct enforcement, using visible law enforcement presence to active look for criminal offenders and to do what they can to deter them. The third is via educational campaign, educating shoppers as to how they can keep their purses, vehicles and homes safe from theft.

Women are encouraged to keep their purses guarded while in stores, zipped up and close to their side.  He further stressed the importance of stowing holiday packages in the trunks of passenger vehicles in order to keep them out of sight.  Persons who place bags and boxes in the back seat, he said, put themselves at a higher risk of becoming a victim of a theft crime.

A 911 caller alerted police that the thief was being chased by the victim, whose clothes had been taken from a dryer in the caller’s garage. The caller described the thief and what he had on:  jeans and a sweatshirt.  Well… that certainly narrowed it down…

Still, the sharp dressed suspect was spotted and cuffed by even sharper-eyed police less than a mile from the crime scene.  More clothing was also recovered during his arrest, according to officers. The thief, however, did not drop his drawers right away.  He continued to wear the pilfered jeans during his booking process at the Vista Jail, the San Diego Sheriff’s Station in the north county.

There was no word on bail, but later, Police Lt. Cain,  said that the jail gave the suspect some orange pants and the officers picked up the jeans.  Now that the thief has to defend himself in court, one wonders what his fashion “statement” will be.

Photocredit: © Lisa F. Young – Fotolia.com