A former employee has been arrested after Palm Beach County sheriff’s investigators said he stole tools and equipment from two businesses and pawned the items at local pawn shops.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office charged Angel David Guerra, 24, with burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft, 18 counts of dealing in stolen property and 18 counts of false verification of ownership.
Detectives said the case started when tools and equipment went missing from businesses on 86th Terrace South in Lake Worth. Deputies reviewed pawn shop records and found numerous items that matched property the victims had reported stolen. Business owners later identified several of the tools as belonging to their companies, and pawn shop employees identified Guerra as the person who brought in the items, authorities said.
According to the arrest affidavit, detectives also relied on witness statements and fingerprint evidence. A forensic examination reportedly matched his fingerprints to multiple pawn documents tied to the stolen property.
Authorities estimated the combined loss to the two businesses at about $15,297. Some of the property has been recovered and returned to its owners.
The case is a reminder for area business owners that pawn shop records can be a key tool when equipment goes missing.
