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POMONA – A Pomona area transient, who burglarized the City Council Chambers was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in jail after confessing to the crime.

Although the burglary was committed on Thursday, July 12, 2018, the theft was not discovered until Monday, July 16, 2018, when a city employee entered the building located at 505 South Garey Avenue to prepare for the city council meeting. The employee immediately noticed electronic and video devices that were missing and notified other city staff who reviewed surveillance footage. As they watched, they determined that the male suspect entered through the front doors and removed a laptop computer, which belonged to a city council member. Other undisclosed electronic devices were also removed from the property officials said. Although the suspect attempted to conceal his identity, he was captured on the surveillance as he left the building.

The police officer who responded to take the report viewed the surveillance footage and was able to identify the suspect as a local transient known to hang out in the Civic Center area of the city. On Saturday, July 21, 2018, the same officer was on patrol when he saw the suspect, identified as James Dino Aragon, 57, and made contact with him. “Upon his arrest, Aragon confessed to entering the closed council chambers and stealing the electronic and video equipment,” Pomona Police officials said. “He admitted to disposing the property after he left the area. Unfortunately, none of the stolen property was found at the location Aragon said he disposed of it.”

Aragon was booked into jail for felony Burglary and on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3 years and four months in prison. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).