Sonoma police arrest man burglarizing business after he cut video surveillance with bolt cutters

Burglary

The night before Anthony Thomasson, 38, was arrested by Sonoma Police for attempting to steal copper wire from a business at the 300 block of West Napa Street, he cut the video surveillance to the store with bolt cutters.

But not before video caught Thomasson cutting the cable to the surveillance camera, giving police identifying markers to make an arrest one night later, according to Sonoma Police Sgt. Scott McKinnon.

Sonoma Police immediately identified and arrested Thomasson in the process of an attempted burglary at 2:26 a.m. on Sunday, July 24, after receiving a call from the business’ owner, McKinnon said.

Thomasson admitted he attempted to steal copper wiring, and he was ultimately arrested for petty theft, multiple warrants (one being a felony), felony vandalism and possession of a controlled substance, McKinnon said.

Sexual battery

A 16-year-old girl reported an incident of sexual battery by a 17-year-old male partner to Sonoma Police on Friday, July 22, according to McKinnon.

The pair was driving around in the male’s car when they entered the backseat to make out. The male lowered his pants and forced oral copulation on the female victim for approximately 2 minutes, according to McKinnon.

The victim and her family are still considering criminal charges in the incident, McKinnon said. The case has been sent to the domestic violence and sexual assault unit, but officials have not begun an investigation yet, McKinnon said.

Burglary

Sonoma Valley High School’s athletic director contacted Sonoma Police over a reported vandalism of the high school’s football press box on Thursday, July 21, according to McKinnon.

Sometime in a 22-hour window, a suspect broke into the press box through an unsecured window and stole two microphones and a CD player. There was no evidence of forced entry, McKinnon said.

The school’s athletic director was unable to identify the make or model of the microphones and CD player, so police were unable to offer an estimate of the cost of the stolen items.

Police are currently reviewing video footage of the scene.

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.