Theft Sting and Arrest at Central Downtown Library 
On July 28, undercover detectives arrested Brian Natonski, 43, for stealing a laptop computer, which the detectives left unattended in the Los Angeles Central Library.
"The library is one of the top, single locations for thefts in the downtown area," Lt. Vernon explained. "Most of the thefts are personal items like bikes, laptops, cell phones, and Ipods that people leave unattended on tables while they browse."
Natonski, originally born in Midland, Michigan, claimed to be a transient, living in downtown Los Angeles. He told detectives he stole the laptop to trade it for his drug habit.
Natonski was booked for Grand Theft and his bail was set at $20,000.
"We'll continue to do these stings with laptops and bikes," Lt. Vernon explained. "Even taking the thief off the street for one or two days protects the public; after all, how many things can he steal just in one day?"
Seventeen thefts have been reported at the Central Library so far this year.
Release by:
Lt. Paul Vernon
Central Detective Division
Address/Location
LAPD - Central Area
251 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 213-972-1298