Suspect's Image on Surveillance Video
LOS ANGELES -- Police have released pictures of a man they believe stole thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry from sports teams and entertainers, including an Israeli basketball team last week.
Witnesses say they saw the unidentified man enter Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv's locker room at Staples Center during an exhibition Oct. 20 with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The suspect got away with nearly $26,000 worth of cash and jewelry, according to police.
A ball boy saw the man in the locker room after the players went on the court, but assumed he was a Staples Center employee.
"We've released the photos in the hopes someone will recognize this man," said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives downtown. "My detectives have linked this man to two other thefts from downtown hotels going back to August."
Detectives say a man also scammed his way into downtown hotels to steal from Chivas USA soccer players and a salsa music troupe.
$9,000 was stolen from a salsa band staying at the Wilshire Grand Los Angeles hotel Aug. 29 when a man convinced a desk clerk he was part of the group, police said.
The suspect gave the desk clerk a music CD in thanks for the help.
The suspect's image was captured on security video.
On Sept. 22 a man wearing a Chivas soccer jersey was seen hugging players as they left on a team bus.
He then turned, went to the front desk, and convinced the clerk to give him the players' room keys.
Over $10,000 was later reported missing from the soccer players' rooms.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 485-2524.
Witnesses say they saw the unidentified man enter Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv's locker room at Staples Center during an exhibition Oct. 20 with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The suspect got away with nearly $26,000 worth of cash and jewelry, according to police.
A ball boy saw the man in the locker room after the players went on the court, but assumed he was a Staples Center employee.
"We've released the photos in the hopes someone will recognize this man," said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of detectives downtown. "My detectives have linked this man to two other thefts from downtown hotels going back to August."
Detectives say a man also scammed his way into downtown hotels to steal from Chivas USA soccer players and a salsa music troupe.
$9,000 was stolen from a salsa band staying at the Wilshire Grand Los Angeles hotel Aug. 29 when a man convinced a desk clerk he was part of the group, police said.
The suspect gave the desk clerk a music CD in thanks for the help.
The suspect's image was captured on security video.
On Sept. 22 a man wearing a Chivas soccer jersey was seen hugging players as they left on a team bus.
He then turned, went to the front desk, and convinced the clerk to give him the players' room keys.
Over $10,000 was later reported missing from the soccer players' rooms.
Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 485-2524.
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