Police arrest burglary suspect

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Santa Barbara police tracked down a 19-year-old man suspected of stealing approximately $16,000 worth of electronic equipment from Santa Barbara High School in April.
After serving search warrants at several residences in Santa Barbara on Friday, authorities arrested two people after finding items stolen from the high school’s theater department. Both suspects identified Arturo Atilano, a Santa Barbara resident, as the person who sold them the stolen items, authorities said.

After obtaining a warrant, police searched the suspect’s residence, finding numerous items stolen from the high school throughout the home and his room, according to a police report. The suspect’s sister said he had described the burglary to her in detail, including how he broke into the theater building, authorities said.
Those descriptions matched details from the crime scene, according to the report. Police arrested Atilano on suspicion of burglary and possession of stolen property, booking him in lieu of $20,000 bail.
School officials had contacted police on April 21 after discovering evidence of forced entry at the theater department that apparently occurred during the previous weekend. Stolen items included several computer monitors, a laptop, microphones and recording equipment.