Henry Lee's Rap Sheet for Dec. 21, 2015
(KTVU) - Here's the Rap Sheet for Dec. 21, 2015:
PHOTO OF SAFEWAY SKIMMING SUSPECT: Federal investigators released surveillance images today of a man they say planted a "skimming" device at a Safeway store in Walnut Creek.
The man removed the device inside his jacket and installed it into a checkout stand at the store at 710 Bancroft Road in September, according to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officials.
A store employee who happened to be in the checkout line saw what happened and alerted store security. Safeway officials alerted all of its stores in the Bay Area, which resulted in a second device that was found at a checkout stand at a Safeway store at 7499 Dublin Blvd. in Dublin.
That device had been planted by someone else, authorities say.
"Both devices were detected and removed before any consumer data could be compromised," ICE officials said in a statement.
The suspect in the Walnut Creek incident was spotted driving a Toyota Corolla. Surveillance video shows him wearing sunglasses and carrying a cup of coffee at one point. A second, earlier image shows him wearing a jacket.
“Skimming devices result in major losses for the affected financial institutions and can cause a disruption in consumers’ personal finances,” said Ryan Spradlin, special agent in charge for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigations in San Francisco.
“Being alert plays a critical role in keeping our community safe. If you see something out of place or someone’s behavior that doesn’t seem quite right, don’t hesitate to notify authorities.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Homeland Security's tip line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or use the agency’s online tip form.
GUNS, DRUGS TAKEN IN HOME-INVASION: Five men invaded a home near Sebastopol over the weekend, rousing the homeowner from bed before stealing more than 40 guns, authorities said.
The incident happened about 2:20 a.m. Sunday on the 5400 block of Lone Pine Road in the Hessel neighborhood near Sebastopol, according to the Sonoma County sheriff's office.
The man said he was asleep with his wife when they heard their sliding glass door shattering. Five men came into their home and demanded marijuana, cocaine and money, the homeowner told sheriff's deputies.
The intruders forced the man at gunpoint to his garage, where he was ordered to open two large gun safes. The group stole more than 40 handguns, shotguns and rifles of various calibers, at least 10 pounds of processed marijuana, jewelry, cell phones and $5,000 cash.
The men held the victims for almost an hour and tied them up before fleeing.
CAREGIVER BUSTED: An in-home caregiver has been arrested for for allegedly stealing $20,000 from a 95-year-old Los Altos resident.
Mahe Puipui, 36, of San Bruno took several personal checks from the victim, wrote them out to herself and either cashed or deposited them, according to Los Altos police.
Puipui was booked at Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of financial elder abuse and forgery.
CRIME FILES: Join us at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 as Officer Glenn Hara of the Oakland Police Department describes how he and officers from throughout the region will be on the lookout this holiday season for DUI drivers - and tips on how to drink responsibly and get home safe.
The Rap Sheet, meanwhile, will return on Monday, Dec. 28. Happy Holidays!
You can see Henry Lee daily on KTVU. If you have a tip for Henry, send an email to Henry.Lee@foxtv.com or contact him on Twitter