A man from Pasadena was placed under arrest after being caught on camera burglarizing the Little League facilities at Allendale Park. According to NBC Los Angeles, Freddy Solario Jr., age 27, is suspected of stealing items valued at over $4,000, instead of baseball gear. The items taken include power tools and other sellable goods, as the league official, Kevin Kohorst, mentioned in a comment to NBC Los Angeles, denoting them as "stuff that was easy to steal and sell for a quick buck."
Security footage played a crucial role in the suspect's identification, highlighting Solario wearing a dark jacket and baseball cap while rummaging through the storage space. Authorities were quick to rely on community tips and the video evidence to track down Solario, capturing him for the burglary that shook the local sporting community. A subsequent search warrant executed led to the retrieval of some of the stolen items. The Pasadena Police Department has confirmed Solario’s prior criminal record and his arrest, as reported by Pasadena Now.
The break-in not only disrupted the summer activities for the young players but also shocked the local community devoted to the league. The Pasadena Southwest Little League expressed its dismay on social media, saying in a Facebook post quoted by CBS Los Angeles, "To the person who did this: You didn't just steal equipment, you stole from a community of children who show up every day with heart, hustle, and hope."
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris credited the community's help, stating, "their assistance was vital in bringing closure to a crime that impacted summer activities and the well-being of so many youth who rely on this equipment to play on," as chronicled by both Pasadena Now and CBS Los Angeles. The case is currently being reviewed by the Pasadena District Attorney's Office, which will decide whether to formally charge Solario based upon evidence gathered during the investigation.
