San Marino Police Department detectives on Friday arrested a suspect in connection with a series of local package thefts, authorities said.
The suspect, George Sam Elali of Reseda, was captured on surveillance video allegedly stealing packages between Dec. 18 through Jan. 2, said Sgt. Vince Wilson.
During these thefts, Elali was driving a blue Toyota Prius while officers from the SMPD used video surveillance and were able to identify the vehicle, learned it was registered to Elali and that it was parked outside a home in Pasadena, Wilson said.
Detectives began surveilling the area and after about two hours, Elali came out of a home that was under construction, got into the Prius and drove away. Police followed him until he parked in a parking lot in the 1400 block of East Colorado Boulevard.
After detectives approached him and questioned him about the stolen packages, Elali admitted to committing at least nine package thefts in San Marino, Wilson said.
Elali was arrested and booked at the Pasadena Jail for grand theft, receiving stolen property and possession of methamphetamine. His Prius was confiscated because it was being used in the commission of a crime, police said.
Elali was issued a citation to appear in Alhambra Superior Court at a later time, Wilson said.
Authorities encouraged anyone who has been a victim of package theft to call the San Marino Police Department at (626) 300-0720.
First published in the Jan. 11 issue of the San Marino Tribune
