Craigslist Posting Helps Police Nab Water Heater Theft Suspect

Craigslist proved to be a valuable tool in an arrest following a recent burglary in Roseville.

Between Sept. 10 and 12, a new tankless water heater was reportedly stolen from a house for sale in the Stonebridge area of Roseville. The victim, a contractor who was remodeling the house, searched on Craigslist and found a tankless water heater for sale, identical to the one that had been stolen. He contacted Roseville Police and 37-year-old Michael Annis of Sacramento was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The water heater was still in the box; and in addition to that, contractor's tools were taken from the garage of the house, according to police.

When the victim saw the ad on Craigslist, he contacted the seller and arranged to meet. Roseville Police officers met the seller, confirmed the water heater was the one stolen during the burglary and arrested the seller. In the suspect’s truck were burglar’s tools and a list of other homes for sale throughout the region, according to police.

Annis was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property, and possession of burglar's tools.  He's being held in the Placer County Jail on $230,000 bail.