Suspect Arrested In Bleacher Theft Cases
December 23, 2010
Mesa
Police detectives are pleased to announce the arrest of a
suspect in a string of bleacher thefts from earlier this year.
Alan Lee Smith, 44 (shown here in photo), was taken
into custody at approximately 8:00 pm on December 22 at his home
in Mesa.
Between May and August 2010, Mesa Public Schools had
a total of 14 thefts at 10 different school locations. Each
time, large sections of bleachers from the football stadiums
were stolen. The total value of the stolen property was over
$21,000. 693 pounds of stolen bleachers were apparently
sold as scrap at American Metals in Mesa. In one of the thefts,
a drill and wrench were left at the scene. Detectives working
the case submitted the items to the Mesa Police Crime Lab for
DNA testing and a match returned to Smith. Once detained, Smith
admitted that he was at the recycler, but did not admit his
involvement in the crimes.
Smith has been charged with
Trafficking in Stolen property, Burglary, Possession of
Dangerous Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.