Burglary Victims Find Stolen Items on Craigslist

Home burglary victims spot their stolen stuff on Craigslist. Deputies sting the suspect, get gun, drugs, stolen ppty. LASD

A home was burglarized in Lancaster on June 26, 2011, during which a firearm, computers, and tattoo equipment were stolen. 

Toward the end of July, 2011, while the burglary victims browsed through the Craigslist website list to replace their stolen property, they saw what they believed to be their stolen tattoo equipment for sale, posted by a person residing in Los Angeles. 

The victims contacted members of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Burglary Suppression Team, who opened an investigation based upon this information. 

A sting operation was conducted on Monday, August 1, 2011, and the person advertising the tattoo equipment for sale agreed to bring the items to the Lancaster area. 

The tattoo equipment was located and positively identified as the victims’ stolen property. The seller, identified as Suspect Dennis Hyde, a 40 year old male from Los Angeles, was arrested for felony Receiving Known Stolen Property. 

A search warrant was served Thrusday at Hayes’ home located in the 900 block of West 42nd St., Los Angeles, by the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Burglary Suppression Team, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

Marijuana packaged for sale, an electronic scale, and other evidence of drug sales were recovered from the location. Additionally, numerous items including electronics, jewelry, camera, and musical equipment valued at $10,000 –all believed to be stolen- were recovered from the location. 

Investigators learned that, at the time of this arrest, Hayes was out on bail for a recent arrest for Possession of Marijuana. 

Hayes is being held in a Los Angeles County jail in lieu of $45,000 bail. 

Additional narcotics and Receiving Known Stolen Property charges are pending. The investigation is continuing.