Crime & Safety
Moraga Police Pull the Plug On Suspected Power Tool Pilferer
Officers stop an Oakland man as he is reportedly leaving a Moraga hardware store through a side door -- with a lot of power tools in his hands.
Employees at the Moraga Orchard Supply Hardware store said a man with a penchant for power tools has been coming to the store on a fairly regular basis and making off with numerous powered items without paying for them.
Moraga Police Chief Robert Priebe said Friday the man returned to the store once again on Sunday -- and was immediately recognized by store personnel.
"They ID’d the suspect entering their store and he was a suspect in prior thefts from the store," Priebe said. "A vehicle and suspect description were given and our officers met the suspect after he exited an emergency door with over $600 worth of stolen tools in his hands."
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Arrested on suspicion of commercial burglary was John Stoeff, Jr., a 28-year-old delivery man from Oakland. He was booked at the Martinez Detention Facility and subsequently made bail, according to police.
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