Police Charge Man Linked to Auto Burglaries

A Los Angeles man was charged with grand theft and burglary Friday after linked him to multiple South Pasadena auto burglaries. 

Around 2 p.m. Friday, police say Officer Ed Acosta recognized wanted person, Neal Anthony Lapiana, 24, riding a bicycle near Pasadena Avenue and Monterey Road. Police say that Lapiana had been previously seen stealing a bicycle from the 700 block of Prospect Avenue in a April 17 surveillance video. On Friday, Lapiana had a large pair of bolt cutters with him, police said. 

Although Lapiana had already been stopped by police while riding his bicycle on April 22 and questioned about electronics he had with him, police let him go because the electronics had yet to be reported stolen, the Pasadena Star-News reported Saturday. 

"Because the auto burglary had not yet been reported to police, Lapiana was questioned and released," Police Chief Joseph Payne told Patch. "After Lapiana was detained on April 6 and linked to the previous crimes, officers searched his Los Angeles home on a probation search."

Police say they subsequently discovered a number of electronic items, including laptops and cell phones. These items are allegedly from recent auto thefts in and around South Pasadena (many of which can be found here), Payne said. 

Lapiana was charged with grand theft and burglary and is being held on $50,000 bail.