(KRON) — A man wanted in connection to a series of burglaries at schools across the Bay Area was arrested this week, the Fremont Police Department announced Wednesday. The suspect, identified as Fairfield resident Christopher Britton, was sought by law enforcement in Solano, Contra Costa, Marin, Alameda and Yolo counties for thefts that targeted school classrooms.
On Monday, a Fremont school resource officer who had been tracking Britton’s activities spotted him in Walnut Creek returning a rental vehicle that authorities believe was used during one of the burglaries. After Britton allegedly attempted to flee from police, he was taken into custody.
School resource officers in Fremont first became aware of Britton’s alleged criminal activity following an incident on Oct. 3, when staff at a local elementary school reported a suspicious individual walking around the campus.
“When confronted by staff, the suspect provided conflicting explanations for being on the property and left shortly thereafter,” Fremont PD said.
Police investigators said Britton “was specifically targeting school classrooms, stealing teachers’ credit cards, and using them to make fraudulent purchases at various retail stores.”
Last week, KRON4 reported that multiple staff members working within the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District had their credit cards stolen, and fraudulent purchases were made with them.
“He may pretend to be on the phone, looking for a classroom, or picking up a student, and is typically dressed in dark clothing, sometimes wearing a hat or mask,” said Livermore school district officials in an advisory of the thefts last week.
Individuals or schools who believe they may be a victim are asked to contact their local police agency to file a report, Fremont PD said.
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