Suspected looter arrested amid devastation of Santa Rosa fire, police say
A man found carrying jewelry and cell phones near evacuated Santa Rosa neighborhoods Saturday faces charges of looting, police say.
Anthony Happel, 50, of Santa Rosa, who police said is homeless, was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft during an emergency, possession of a concealed weapon and possession of narcotic paraphernalia, Santa Rosa police reported on Facebook.
Officers with the Hillsborough Police Department, who were assisting with patrols during the emergency, stopped Happel about 1:45 p.m. Saturday after they reportedly noticed him behaving suspiciously near evacuated neighborhoods in northwest Santa Rosa.
The officers found jewelry, cell phones and other valuables they believed had been stolen from evacuated homes. The Facebook post adds that Santa Rosa police have “zero tolerance” for looters and thieves. “All caught will be prosecuted,” it promises.
Today at approximately 1:45pm, Hillsborough Police Department was assisting SRPD with extra patrols in the evacuation...
Posted by Santa Rosa Police Department on Saturday, October 14, 2017
This story was originally published October 15, 2017 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Suspected looter arrested amid devastation of Santa Rosa fire, police say."