Lakeport Police arrest man for burglary and forgery; suspect has lengthy history of thefts
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police have arrested a Lakeport man who they say has a history of repeated thefts and drug-related cases.
On Saturday, officers took Alexander Gene Gard, 23, into custody, according to a report from the Lakeport Police Department.
The report said that on Saturday officers received a report of stolen credit/debit cards being used at O’Reilly Auto Parts and Kmart after the card owner was notified of fraudulent activity by his bank. The victim’s wallet had been reported lost or stolen earlier in the morning.
The agency said officers responded to find that the suspect was gone but received a description. Being that the two businesses are near the police station, officers reviewed the station camera footage, which covers the surrounding area, and identified the suspect as Gard.
Officers developed information that Gard may have been at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and at approximately 5:30 p.m. located him on the grounds of that facility, hiding behind an air conditioning unit, the report explained.
Police said Gard was in possession of the victim’s wallet, credit card and identification as well as some medical equipment and supplies that he stole from the hospital.
Gard was arrested for felony charges of burglary and forgery and misdemeanor charges of possession of stolen property and violation of probation and transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked, police said.
The Lakeport Police Department said Gard has an extensive history of theft and drug-related charges – the latter specifically relating to methamphetamine – and this is his third arrest in the past 30 days.
On Aug. 19, Gard was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, in that case methamphetamine, as well as possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and violation of probation, police said.
On July 24, Gard was arrested for possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia and the destruction or concealment of evidence, police said.
In the last eight months, Gard has been involved as a suspect in nine investigations conducted by the Lakeport Police Department.
Going back to 2014, Gard also has been investigated or arrested by the Lakeport Police Department for these types of charges a total of approximately 13 times, authorities said.
“It is our opinion that Gard has not faced any significant consequences for his theft or drug possession related activities due largely to the passage of Proposition 47 in 2014,” said Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said that, regardless of law changes, the Lakeport Police Department will work hard to remove drugs and thieves from the city’s streets.
He said he’s proud of community members, Neighborhood Watch Groups, business owners and officers working together to eliminate this type of behavior in our city.