The irresistible urge to take a selfie landed one thief in handcuffs after investigators found the damning evidence on his phone.
On Monday, July 6, American Canyon Police in the San Francisco Bay Area got a call about a business that had been burgled for more than $100,000 in tools, copper wire, and vehicles. According to a press release from the department, investigators were able to identify two vehicles they believed were associated with the crime and put the word out to neighboring police departments.
According to the press release, the following day, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office informed American Canyon police that they’d pulled over one of the vehicles. ACPD arrived on the scene and began investigating. They quickly discovered photos on the suspect’s phone where he took clear selfies of himself committing the crime. Daniel Lemas was taken into custody on “numerous felony crimes associated with burglary,” the press release reads.
The police released a photo that shows Lemas, 53, wearing a mask and holding up a peace sign in a selfie next to a truck. This is reportedly just one of several photos he took during the crime.
On July 8, the Hayward Police Department stopped the second vehicle that police were looking for, and the ACPD was able to arrest Dennis Tylij, 49, on conspiracy to commit a crime, which is a felony. The arrest led police to an address in Hayward where, with a legal warrant, they were able to recover some of the missing items from the burglary…