Alleged Thief Caught with Citizen’s Tip

San Luis Obispo police arrested a man for suspicion of burglary after he was spotted by an alert citizen, who reportedly recognized him from news reports.
SLOPD Sgt. Robert Cudworth said about 8 p.m. on Jan. 10, they got a report that a suspect wanted for two previous burglaries on Broad Street the day before, was in the Best Buy store on Madonna Road.
“An alert citizen,” Sgt. Cudworth said, “who had seen the suspect’s photo from the press release, called the police when he recognized the person in the store.”
Officers arrived and located the suspect who was allegedly in possession of suspected stolen items, including actually wearing a pair of shoes that he’d allegedly taken from Big 5, located in the Marigold Center on Broad Street the previous day. The Staples store on Broad Street had also been hit.
“Other property from the Big 5 and Staples thefts was located in a car in the parking lot,” said Sgt. Cudworth.
The suspect, identified as Sean Reinhardt, was arrested for suspicion of possession of stolen property and burglary. Police are happy for the heads-up by the alert citizen, whom they did not identify.
“The police department is very appreciative of citizens who work with us to combat crime. The citizen in this case was instrumental to the police department apprehending the suspect,” said Sgt. Cudworth.