Countywide
San Diego police arrested one man and were seeking three others in a countywide series of burglaries of sporting goods stores.
More than $700,000 worth of athletic shoes and clothing have been stolen from at least 20 stores in the past three months, police spokesman Bill Robinson said. The nighttime burglaries occurred in National City, Chula Vista, Lemon Grove, San Diego, Escondido, Encinitas, Vista and Oceanside, he said.
Jimmy Lee Thomas, 34, was arrested Monday morning at his home in the 100 block of Henson Street in San Diego, Robinson said. He was booked into County Jail downtown on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Police were still looking for three men believed to be involved in the fencing ring, Robinson said, adding that the stolen merchandise was being sold at locations around the county.
The burglaries were similar in that the thieves broke into an adjoining business, then punched a hole in a connecting wall to gain entrance to the sporting goods store, Robinson said.
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