Man Arrested In Series Of Bronze Plaque Thefts At San Diego County Libraries

SAN DIEGO, CA — A man was arrested in connection with a series of grand thefts of bronze plaques from public libraries across San Diego County, authorities said.

Randall Ryan Balsley, 45, was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of stealing plaques from libraries in Alpine, 4S Ranch, Imperial Beach, Lemon Grove and Rancho San Diego, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

The most recent theft happened shortly before 11 p.m. Oct. 17, when the suspect stole a wall plaque valued at $4,500 at Imperial Beach Library and fled with it in a Chevrolet Silverado, sheriff's officials said. Surveillance cameras from the library and the library in Rancho San Diego captured images of what appeared to be the same man and vehicle.

Following the release of information through San Diego County Crime Stoppers, an anonymous tip led detectives to identify the suspect as Balsley. On Wednesday, sheriff's detectives found Balsley's vehicle in a parking lot in Rancho San Diego. After seeing Balsley get into the vehicle and drive away, deputies conducted a traffic stop and took him into custody without incident.

During a search of Balsley's home in El Cajon, investigators recovered additional stolen library plaques and other evidence related to the thefts, according to sheriff's officials.

Balsley was booked into the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of multiple counts of grand theft.

Anyone with additional information was encouraged to contact the Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation at 619-498-2400.