Sonora police: Cell phone left at burglary scene leads to thief

Through a cellphone left behind, police tracked a burglar who struck a Sonora salon.

Belle’s Lasting Impressions, in the 100 block of South Stewart Street, reported a burglary Sunday. The culprit made off with $1,500 worth of beauty supplies and makeup, according to the Sonora Police Department.

The burglar broke a window to get inside the salon, leaving blood behind. Police also found a cellphone and got a warrant to access its contents.

Investigators determined the phone belonged to Brady Lassa, 41, of Sonora. There were outstanding warrants for Lassa’s arrest, on charges including felony burglary and violation of probation.

Monday evening, an officer stopped a man riding a bicycle on Old Ferry Road near the Lowe’s store. The man gave a false name, but eventually was identified as Lassa, authorities said.

Police arrested Lassa and booked him into Tuolumne County Jail on his outstanding warrants and new charges of felony burglary, misdemeanor possession of a dangerous weapon, misdemeanor false impersonation to an officer, misdemeanor delaying an officer and misdemeanor possession of burglary tools.

The investigation is ongoing. The blood collected at the scene has been sent to the Department of Justice for analysis and DNA profiling.

Police are investigating whether the theft from Belle’s is related to another burglary, reported Saturday at 2:40 a.m. In that case, someone stole $20,000 worth of prescription drugs from Bob’s Greenley Pharmacy.

This story was originally published January 20, 2015 at 9:58 AM with the headline "Sonora police: Cell phone left at burglary scene leads to thief."