La Mesa burglary suspect caught in the act

LA MESA (CNS) – A 30-year-old Bonita man suspected of stealing items from two personal vehicles parked outside a La Mesa fire station was behind bars today, authorities said.

Firefighters from the station at 8844 Dallas St. called police shortly before 6 p.m. Monday and said the suspect, later identified as Leubrent Bernard Edwards, was spotted burglarizing cars inside a secured parking area, according to a La Mesa police statement.

Edwards allegedly ran off while police were en route but stopped in a residential neighborhood to take items from a home’s open garage, police said. The resident called police as the suspect again tried to flee.

La Mesa and San Diego police officers used a helicopter to broadcast a suspect description, and a neighbor tipped off police that the suspect had run into a backyard, according to the statement.

Police said they found Edwards hiding under a vehicle in the yard, and he eventually surrendered and was arrested on suspicion of burglary. The stolen items were recovered, police said.