FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Man Arrested in Theft of Jeans From Washers

Police say they may have solved a series of thefts that is hardly white-collar crime.

In fact, one might say the thefts are on the other side of the color spectrum because it involved blue jeans.

Police said they arrested a 37-year-old man Sunday and charged him with stealing blue jeans from washing machines at an apartment complex laundry room.

Investigators suspect the man may have stolen as many as 24 pairs of blue jeans--all colors and sizes--probably with the intent of selling them, said police Sgt. Dann Bean.

Thomas Ellis of Fountain Valley was taken into custody and charged with theft after officers found him carrying several pairs of wet blue jeans allegedly taken from washing machines at an apartment complex in the 10100 block of Slater Avenue, police said.

Ellis also was charged with strong-arm robbery in connection with the theft of several blue jeans from a woman last week in the same apartment complex, police said.

Police said the woman suffered minor injuries in a brief struggle.

Bean said investigators found 24 pairs of blue jeans when they checked Ellis’ motel room.

If convicted, Ellis faces several years in prison, where all inmates are required to wear blue jeans.