EPD: Top hat-clad man steals cash register from ice cream shop in Eureka, later arrested
EUREKA, Calif. — A man wanted for stealing a cash register and a few cookies from an ice cream shop in Old Town Eureka was arrested early Monday morning, according to the Eureka Police Dept. (EPD).
On July 1 at around 4:34 a.m., officers responded to Living the Dream Ice Cream at the foot of F Street in Eureka for the report of a burglary alarm activation. The owner of the business had also called and reported that he could see a male suspect inside the business from his remote video surveillance system.
Officers arrived on scene within minutes, but the male suspect had already fled with miscellaneous stolen items. A Facebook post put up by the ice cream shop read: "We’ve been burgled! Anyone recognize this guy? Dare I say we got the best dressed criminal? Got away with our cash drawer and a few cookies. Want to say thanks to @advancedsecuritysystems and @eureka_police for their quick response. #tuxedoshirt #tophat #burgled #crimesucks"
Based on the video surveillance, the male suspect was described to police as wearing a top hat and leather jacket with distinct stitching on the shoulders. The morning of the burglary, EPD said officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect.
Then, on Monday, July 2 at about 3:10 a.m., an EPD officer conducted a proactive field interview with a man at the 1700 block of Broadway. The male was wearing a top hat and leather jacket matching the description from the burglary surveillance. He was identified as 59-year-old Christian Bradford and determined to be the suspect from the burglary, police said.
Bradford was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for burglary and probation violation, the EPD reported.
