Crime & Safety

Stillwater Burglary Suspect Arrested Playing A Stolen PS3 On A Stolen TV

When detectives knocked on the door of a home in the 6400 block of Panama Avenue West on Saturday, police allegedly found a 19-year-old man playing a stolen Play Station 3 on a stolen 32-inch Sanyo television.

A 19-year-old man was arrested by Stillwater Police Saturday playing the video games he was suspected of stealing.

Based on reports, Tyler James Anderson became a suspect in three burglaries police were investigating, but he’s currently homeless, so locating him was a bit of a "chore,” Stillwater Police Sgt. Jeff Stender said.

Police were looking into the 19-year-old suspect after three residential burglaries were reported— one in the 2300 block of Walnut Creek Drive on April 1; a second in the 900 block of South Fifth Street on May 15; and a third in the 1100 block of Curve Crest Boulevard on May 24, Stender said.

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The Walnut Creek Drive burglary was interrupted, but the suspect made off with a small amount of cash, Stender said. In the South Fifth Street burglary, a Play Station 3 with a game inside of it was stolen; and in the Curve Crest Boulevard burglary a Play Station 3 and a 32-inch Sanyo television were stolen.

As a part of the investigation, police started a “knock-and-talk” campaign of Anderson’s known acquaintances looking for information on his whereabouts.

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When detectives knocked on the door of a home in the 6400 block of Panama Avenue West on Saturday to talk with the homeowner, “Anderson was present and lo and behold he was playing a Play Station 3 on a 32-inch Sanyo television,” Stender said.

When first questioned, the homeowner told the detective the video game console and television were his, Stender said. But when the detective checked the serial numbers of the Play Station 3 and television they matched the items reported stolen on South Fifth Street, he added.

When asked again, the homeowner told police that Anderson brought the video-game console and television to the home a couple of days prior, Stender said. Eventually, Anderson confessed to all three burglaries, he said.

Anderson told police he sold the other Play Station 3 (for $100) to a person living at a home in the 14800 block of North 60th Street in Oak Park Heights, Stender said. Police went to the home and recovered a Play Station 3 that still had the game reported stolen from Curve Crest Boulevard in it, he said.

Recording and reporting the serial numbers on the Play Station 3 and television were important pieces of information that allowed police to positively identify the stolen electronics, Stender said.

“Without the serial numbers there was a likelihood that the homeowner would have continued to cover for his friend,” Stender said. “With the serial numbers we were able to get statements implicating Anderson.”

Police believe all three burglaries occurred during the nighttime hours, Stender said. Anderson knows each of the homeowners, he said.

Anderson is a suspect in other cases that remain under investigation, Stender said. Police recommended that Anderson be charged with first- and third-degree burglary charges, as well as possession of stolen property, Stender said.


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