Burglary Suspect Arrested

A convicted thief who was found squatting in an Oakland hills home has been arrested in connection with more than 10 burglaries in Piedmont, Orinda, Berkeley, Kensington, and Oakland, police said Friday.

The suspect, 41-year-old Lee Crago, has prior convictions for possession of stolen merchandise and burglary, according to Oakland Police.

Patrol Officer Malcolm Miller went to 6338 Valley View Rd at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday to respond to a report of trespassers inside an unoccupied home, police said. When Miller arrived on scene at the house he conducted a preliminary investigation and found Crago living inside the residence illegally. Miller quickly recognized a large number of items in the house that appeared to be stolen merchandise.

Problem-solving officers who had been working on burglary suppression in the nearby Montclair district responded and began helping identify items. Officers recovered two van loads worth of personal documents, television sets, computers, tools, and jewelry. Crago was subsequently arrested.

Investigators said they are working to solve all the cases that they think Crago is responsible for and to return the stolen property to victims.

Oakland police said people with information about the burglaries are asked to call the department's criminal investigation division at (510) 238-3326.

– by Bay City News

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Editor's Note: Piedmont Patch contacted Piedmont Police Chief John Hunt Friday to inquire whether Lee Crago may have been involved in the recent here. Hunt said the detective handling those cases who would have that information would not be back in the office until Monday.