CALIFORNIA COMPUTER THIEF CAUGHTAptos parolee arrested on suspicion of three burglaries By CATHY REDFERN SENTINEL STAFF WRITER February 18, 2005Aptos parolee arrested on suspicion of three burglaries
By CATHY REDFERN
Sentinel staff writer

A 43-year-old Aptos man recently released from prison will be arraigned today on charges stemming from the theft of computers and other equipment from three Aptos businesses this past weekend.

Sheriff’s detectives arrested Richard Sullens on Tuesday at his mother’s home off Freedom Boulevard. The arrest came after an investigation into burglaries from a real estate office, a title company and another business in the 8000 block of Soquel Drive in Aptos, Lt. Terry Parker said.

Thousands of dollars in equipment was stolen, some of which was found and returned after detectives searched Sullens’ mother’s trailer, Parker said.

When reports of the burglaries came in Monday, Sgts. Bob MacAulay and Dan Campos thought of Sullens; the crimes resembled ones he was convicted of in 2004, Campos said.

"Thankfully we were able to recover that property before it was gone and get this guy off the street again," he said. "Some methamphetamine was also found, so once again, methamphetamine is a factor in this property- related crime."

Detectives discovered stolen computers, scanners, printers and other equipment at the trailer, deputies said, as well as smaller items reported missing such as candy jars and picture frames. Some property remains missing, and detectives believe other parties were involved in the burglaries and are still investigating.

Wednesday, Sullens was charged with receiving stolen property and possession of drugs, court records show. Deputies say he faces a parole violation charge as well.

In June, Sullens was sentenced to the minimum term of one year, four months after pleading no contest to receiving stolen property. He had 85 days credit for time served in County Jail. In May, he pleaded no contest to a drug possession charge and having a prior prison term and was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to complete a drug treatment program pursuant to Proposition 36.

Deputies ask anyone with information to call investigators at 454-2311.