Reader contributed photo of Ismael Villarreal being taken for booking, click to enlarge
Ismael Villarreal, photo courtesy of SMPD
Press Release posted 3/10/14– On Wednesday afternoon Sierra Madre Police Department received multiple calls of a person that was being very aggressive in soliciting for money in the Kersting Court area. The individual, later identified as 33 yr. old Ismael Villarreal of Pasadena, was also seen going in and out of several businesses in the area as well as looking into parked vehicles. Officers arrived on the scene within minutes of the call and when Villarreal saw the first police unit arrive in the area he took off running. He was later located in the Buccaneer Lounge and taken into custody without incident. The investigation revealed that Villarreal was taking money from the tip jars at several of the local business and had driven to the area in a vehicle that was stolen out of Fontana.
Villarreal was booked at the Los Angeles County Jail for Commercial Burglary and Grand Theft Auto and is being held on $20,000 bail.