Two men in California have been accused of stealing over $100,000 worth of tools, copper wire, and vehicles during a burglary, with authorities alleging the suspects took selfie photographs while committing the crimes.
The alleged thefts occurred on July 6 at a business located in the 1100 block of Green Island Road in American Canyon, according to the American Canyon Police Department.
Investigators identified two vehicles associated with the burglary and shared this information with neighboring law enforcement agencies. The following day, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office stopped one of the vehicles and detained the driver, identified as 53-year-old Daniel Lemas of Hayward. During the investigation, evidence recovered reportedly included selfie photographs that allegedly show Lemas committing the burglary.
Lemas was arrested and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on multiple felony charges, including burglary. He has since posted $25,000 bail and was released, according to The California Post.
On July 8, the Hayward Police Department stopped the second vehicle linked to the burglary and detained its driver, identified as 49-year-old Dennis Tylij of Hayward. American Canyon police arrested Tylij, who was booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on a felony conspiracy charge. Tylij remains in custody.
American Canyon police stated that the alleged selfie photographs taken during the burglary were instrumental in identifying Lemas and Tylij. Following the arrests, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Hayward, where a portion of the stolen property was recovered.