Identity Crisis Lands Suspect in Jail

An intruder who dropped his ID card in a scuffle with his victim was arrested Tuesday when he returned and tried to get the card back, police said.

Richard Hernandez, 43, was taken into custody about 5:30 a.m. with the stolen goods in hand as he haggled outside the Pacific Beach home of 25-year-old Todd McNeil, whose house he had allegedly burglarized less than two hours earlier 4 a.m., police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

“The burglar wanted to exchange the bicycle and (10) VHS tapes for his California ID card,” Robinson said.

McNeil, who lives in the 4500 block of Bond Street, woke up when a man removed a screen and climbed into his house, police said. McNeil struggled with the burglar, but the man escaped with the mountain bike and tapes, Robinson said.

But he left an ID behind.

Using the information on the card, police identified Hernandez, who lives in Bay Park. Before they could act on the tip, they got a call from McNeil saying the burglar was back, Robinson said.

Hernandez returned to the house and said he would give McNeil his bike and tapes back in exchange for the card, Robinson said.

He was booked on suspicion of burglary, and he had an outstanding felony warrant for burglary, Robinson said.