Full Notification

WHAT: Arrest for Possession of Stolen Property

WHEN: Thursday, March 16th at 12:25 pm

WHERE: 1870 North Broadway, Santa Maria

SUSPECT: Armando Acosta, 41 year old Resident of Santa Maria

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Sergeant Chad Pfarr

On March 12th, at 3:40 am, the San Luis Obispo Police Department was called to Taco Bell at Santa Rosa and Olive for the report of a stolen iPhone 6 plus. Officers were able to work with the victim to track the cell phone to several locations in San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach before the phone went dead.

On March 15th a friend of the victim received a brief call from a male suspect who said he had the phone and was willing to sell it back to the victim. The Police Department began working with the victim to communicate with the suspect so arrangements could be made for the phones return.

On March 16th an undercover officer, posing as the victim, made arrangements to meet and pay the suspect in exchange for the stolen phone. At 12:15 pm the undercover officer met with the suspect in public parking lot in Santa Maria. After confirming the suspect was in possession of the stolen phone, Armando ACOSTA was taken into custody without incident.

ACOSTA was brought back to San Luis Obispo where he was booked into custody at County Jail for 485 PC – Misappropriation of lost/stolen Property and 496 PC – Possession of Stolen Property.

The Police Department will continue to use undercover operations as a means of combating theft related crimes. The suspect in this case believed he would be able to sell the stolen phone for profit. The Police Department wants to remind citizens that cell phones, once reported stolen, cannot be activated when taken to a cell phone provider.

If you have any information about this crime you are encouraged to call the San Luis Obispo Police Department at 805-781-7312 or Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP.